The Pays de Saint Jean de Monts, on the Vendée coast, is well known for its long sandy beaches, its mild climate and lots of outdoor activities. Whether you’re planning a family holiday, a long weekend of sporting activities, or just an escape from the routine and a chance to relax, this region has something for everyone.
Having travelled here from Ireland many times, I’ve been able to try out lots of different ways to get here: by plane, ferry, car and by train. In this article I’m going to share my experience with a few tips for how best to plan your journey to make it as easy and stress-free as possible.
Why should you choose Pays de Saint Jean de Monts ?
Before I go into more detail about the various transport options available, I’d like to tell you why I chose this as my holiday destination:
So, as you can see, there is everything you need for a wonderful French holiday by the sea!
What’s the best way to get to Pays de Saint jean de Monts for your next holiday? Let me share my experiences with you and give you some tips and advice.
1. Travel by plane: the quickest option ✈
The first time I came, I took a direct flight from Dublin to Nantes Atlantique. This airport is ideal as it’s only an hour’s travel from Pays de Saint Jean de Monts so it’s quick and easy. If you are coming from Cork or another city, then you can get find a flight with a connection via London or Paris but I really advise coming to Nantes as it’s so close.
Which airports should you choose?
The airport closest to Pays de Saint Jean de Monts is Nantes Atlantique (NTE), about an hours’ drive away. Here are some of the flight options available:
- From Dublin: Direct flights with Aer Lingus (journey time: 1 hr 40). I really recommend flying direct to Nantes with Aer Lingus as the journey is very pleasant and very quick.
- From Cork: Option to fly to Nantes with connections in London or Paris.
- From Shannon: Possibility of flights to Nantes with a connection with Ryanair or Air France.
Car hire in Nantes
Once you’ve arrived in Nantes, several options are available:
- Car hire: There are a variety of car hire companies offering a broad range of hire cars. It’s a good idea to pre-book your car hire before you arrive.
- Take a taxi or VTC (Voiture de Tourisme avec Chauffeur): Average cost from 100 to 150€.
- Public Transport: Take the shuttle bus to Nantes train/coach station, then train or coach onwards to the Vendée. I won’t go into all the detail here but you will find more information here.
💡 Tip : If you are planning to travel around the area during your stay, having a car is the best way to get about independently.
2. Travel by ferry: an exhilarating journey 🚢
After a few times travelling by plane, I wanted to try the journey by ferry. It’s a great way to prolong the journey experience as you travel a lot more slowly.
Ferries to France sail from Dublin or Rosslare and the big advantage is that you can travel in your own car.
The main ferry routes
There are two main companies (Brittany Ferries and Irish ferries) with routes between Ireland and France:
| Depart | Arrive | Journey time |
| Dublin | Cherbourg | 18 hours |
| Rosslare | Cherbourg | 18 hours |
| Cork | Roscoff | 14 hours |
I tried the Dublin-Cherbourg route: It was comfortable and convenient, and overall, a very good experience! We travelled overnight in cabins with bunks for 2 to 4 people, so we didn’t have the impression that we’d wasted time taking this longer journey. The thing I particularly enjoyed was the friendly atmosphere on board. Unlike on the plane, we had time to chat with other travellers, listen to the live music in the bars and there were play areas for the children. On some of the ferries, there’s even a swimming pool!
Services on board
The ferries offer lots of different services to make your journey more enjoyable:
- Restaurants and bars offer a wide variety of food and drink, from simple snacks to gastronomic meals.
- Cinema and entertainment: some of the ships offer evening shows and entertainment.
- Duty-free shops to buy various products at reduced prices.
- Outdoor decks so that you can enjoy the view and some fresh air.
- Cabins with private en-suite bathroom for your maximum comfort.
- Space for pets with dedicated cabins or kennels. You will need to find out more from the individual ferry companies about the adapted dog cabins and the areas where you can walk your dog on board.
- The other possibility is to book a reclining seat which will be assigned to you throughout the journey and where you can sit and relax (this is a cheaper option than a cabin).
One of my favourite memories was during our breakfast on board when we had an amazing view of the sea at sunrise. It was a special moment of peace and relaxation before we’d even arrived in France.
3. Travel by car: freedom to be flexible 🚗
Once I’d arrived in Cherbourg, I drove (in my own car) onwards to Pays de Saint Jean de Monts. It’s the option I’d recommend if you enjoy the freedom to travel as you want. The route is straightforward and you can take your time to enjoy the changing countryside. The journey takes 3 hours which is quite reasonable. From the port of Cherbourg, take the A13 motorway following Carentan then the A84 towards Saint-Lô and Rennes, before joining the A83 towards Nantes. Once you reach Nantes, take the D117 towards the coast.
💡 Some things to remember:
- You will need to pay tolls on certain sections of the motorway. Make sure you have some cash ready or a valid bank card.
- Drive on the right! If you’re coming in your own car, it’s a bit easier than a hire car as the controls etc. are all familiar.
4. Take the train: a relaxing alternative 🚆
When I came on my last visit by plane, I chose to take the train from Nantes. It’s an ideal solution if you don’t want to drive. The journey to Saint Jean de Monts takes around an hour by the regional TER train and bus service which stops at a good number of Vendee towns. The trains are comfortable and it allows you to relax after your flight. You can sit back and enjoy watching the countryside go by.
Travelling by train from Ireland
It is possible to travel by train all the way from Ireland when combining it with a ferry crossing:
- Ferry Ireland to UK
- Eurostar train from London to Paris
- TGV Paris to Nantes
- Train or coach Nantes to Saint Jean de Monts
This is the longest journey but is the most environmentally friendly and is a good alternative if you wish to break up your journey with a stopover in London or Paris for example.
Conclusion: which travel method should you choose?
✈ The plane is the quickest.
⛴ The ferry is ideal for those who like to travel slowly and with their car. It also offers an additional experience to the holiday!
🚗 Travel by car offers the maximum amount of flexibility.
🚆 The train is the most eco-friendly and allows you to relax – but takes the longest.
Depending on your budget, your plans and the way you want to spend your holiday, you’ll easily find the best option for your journey from Ireland to Pays de Saint Jean de Monts.
🌊 And once you’ve arrived, you’ll have a great time discovering the beaches, the local markets, and the wonderful countryside around you, for a truly unforgettable holiday !
More advices for your holidays on the Vendée coast
Family walks in the Pays de Saint Jean de Monts: an unmissable experience!
Thematics