"Aunisceane" fun pool
La Tranche sur Mer, Vendee
Indoor and outdoor fun pool complex. Water slides, toddlers pools, river feature, water canon, etc. Water at 29°C. Relaxation area with sauna, hammam, jacuzzi. Open 12.00 to 20.00 in July and August.
Link to Aunisceane

 

 

Opening :

All year round  

Exotic gardens "La Court d'Aron"
St Cyr en Talmondais, Vendee (on the D949)
Beautiful gardens showing botanical specimens from all over the world, both in outside settings and displays and in hot-houses. There are formal gardens and lawns as well as paths through natural spaces, leading down to the lotus flower lake (peak flowering in July). Children's train ride, snack bar, picnic area.
Link to Court d'Aron

 

 

Opening :
Early April to mid October
10.00 to 19.00  

"Indian Forest" tree adventure park
Moutiers les Mauxfaits, Vendee
25 acre theme park in an oak forest. Has both harnessed activities high in the trees and more gentle activity areas and forest trails. 2km cable run, bungy jumps, paint ball, 18 hole mini-golf, plus pony rides, bouncy castles and other features for the young ones. Picnic area.
Best to reserve in peak season. Minimum age limits on some activities.
Link to Indian Forest

 

 

Opening :

April to October

Zoo
Les Sables d'Olonne, Vendee (Route du Tour de France)
200 animals in natural settings amongst 7 acres of forests and gardens.
Big cats, monkeys, giraffes, otters, pandas, penguins, vultures, wolves, reptiles as well as many little known species.
"One of the most important projects of the zoo is the education on the environment's conservation and the species biology. So, the educational team which is constituted by biologists, work hard to heighten the awareness of children and the general public".
Link to zoo

 

 

Opening :

April to October
9.30 to 19.00  

Motor museum "Musee Automobile de la Vendee"
Talmont St Hilaire, Vendee (on the D949)
A family collection, started in 1939 by Gaston Giron and including over 200 vehicles, 160 of which are on permanent display in the immense hall. Horse-drawn carriages, early petrol and steam engine cars, numerous classic models and competiton cars through to exotic prototypes.
June July August - 9.30 to 19.00
Other times - 9.30 to 12.00 and 14.00 to 18.30
Link to motor museum

 

 

Opening :

April to October  

Chateau de Talmont St Hilaire
Talmont St Hilaire, Vendee
Fortified chateau dating from the middle ages. Richard the Lionheart's hunting residence. Discovery trail through the chateau grounds. Demonstrations - knights on horseback. Crossbow shooting, costumes, calligraphy. Illuminated pageant in the summer evenings, early July to end of August, weekdays at nightfall.
Visits to the chateau itself:
April May June - 10.30 to 12.30 and 14.00 to 18.00
July August - weekends only 10.30 to 19.00, but medieval displays on weekdays 10.30 to 19.00.
September Otober - 14.00 to 18.00
Link to chateau

 

 

Opening :

April to October  

Aquarium "Le 7eme Continent"
Talmont St Hilaire, Vendee (then follow Port Bourgenay)
12 huge pools recreating various natural habitats from all the seas of the world. Feeding time 15.30 (including the sharks...) 400 species, including some rare ones. Gift shop.
April May June - 10.00 to 18.00
July August, to mid September - 10.00 to 19.00
Other times 14.00 to 18.00 and closed Mondays.
Link to aquarium

 

 

Opening :

All year round except January February  

Wildlife park "Ferme et Nature"
Avrille, Vendee (Demeure de la Pierre)
25 acre wildlife park on a farm theme with around 500 animals of 40 different breeds. From new-born chicks to impressive bulls. Wildlife trail through the woods in the summer months. Meals from farm produce.
May June - Wednesdays and weekends 14.00 to 18.00
July August - every day 10.00 to 19.00 . Closes 5/9 onwards.
Link to Ferme et Nature

 

 

Opening :

May to early September  

Chateau de la Guignardiere
Avrille, Vendee (on the D949)
Fully furnished Renaissance chateau to visit, French gardens and a 200 acre park. Children's treasure trail - 20 historic riddles to solve. Standing stones and prehistoric display. Ducks, swans ponies and deer.
Mid June to end August - 10.00 to 21.00
Other times 11.00 to 20.00
Link to chateau

 

 

Opening :

April to end of September  

CAIRN Prehistory museum
St Hilaire la Foret, Vendee (Near Avrille)
Museum and park on the theme of prehistoric times. Demonstrations of fire lighting, flint tool making, moving huge stones, pottery and other aspects of stone-age life (different activities on different days of the week). Reconstruction of a prehistoric home and a dolmen. 3 exhibition rooms and a 3D film.
July August 11.00 to 19.00 every day.
Other times 14.00 to 18.00, closed Saturday.
Link to museum

 

 

Opening :

April to end of September  

Salt marsh visits "Les Salines"
Les Sables D'Olonne, Vendee (Route de l'Aubraie)
A 2 hour boat trip through the Olonne salt marshes and to the salt production site - see how the sea salt is produced. Adventure trail, smugglers' paths. Ideal trip for bird-watchers. Canoe hire. Gift shop.
Reservations: 0033 (0)2 51 21 01 19
Link to salt marshes

 

 

Opening :

April to end of September