This remarkable area has a beautiful coastline and many offshore islands, the famous resort of Les Sables d'Olonne and the jewel in the crown - La Rochelle, an ancient port of great vitality with its backdrop of massive medieval towers which date from the 14th century. Beyond the picturesque harbour, with its whitewashed townhouses lies La Rochell's elegant arcaded streets, built during its 18th century heydey. The islands off the coast include the Ille de Re, 15 minutes by ferry from La Pallice, has 60 kms of beach, two thirds of it sandy, (the island rarely sleeps, you can find people up and ready to party any time of day or night).

Inland from La Rochelle is the Marais Poitevin or "Green Venice" - 80,000 hectares of marshland drained by slow moving canals and waterways, this is a nature lovers paradise, every field is an island, where cows, goats, their milk and their feed and all the crops are moved by punt. Here also sunflowers colour the landscape a dazzling yellow and ancient hamlets huddle furtively along quiet and undisturbed roads. (You can make trips along the waterways by punt from Coulon).

North of the Marais is Fontenay le Comte, divided by the Vendee river into two distinct areas. On the right bank is the aristocratic district with houses dating from renaissance to classical times, while on the left bank the town is typified by the busy rue de la Republique with older, half-timbered houses. It has an excellent street market and also an indoor fish and meat market.

North of Fontenay le Comte and south of the Loire Valley (about 50 miles radius) is farming land where English cars are so rare that onlookers still glance. French hospitality in this area is unsurpassed. A wooded ridge dotted with numerous windmills leads north towards the "Switzerland in the Vendee"- in fact it is no more that 1000ft above sea level but does contrast strikingly with the flat farmland all around. The maze of country lanes with an abundance of wild flowers are a walker's.paradise and there are rivers and lakes for fishing. The slow pace of life is evident around this area. The entire region has a solid gastronomic reputation.

The Vendee region of France lies south of the Loire Valley - you need to be south of the Loire to be sure of good weather - and is bordered by the Atlantic Coast.
To view a map of the region click here.

Alternatively, plan your route through Multimap.