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There
are excellent sandy beaches all round the coast, about 20 mins drive from the
cottage. There are usually lifeguards on standby, making the beaches a safe
environment to try out body boarding on the Atlantic surf.
Further
down the coast at La Tranche sur Mer
(www.ot-latranchesurmer.fr) (35 mins) there are excellent,
internationally renowned, windsurfing and sailing facilities both
for hire of boards/catamarans and lessons. There is also a lagoon for beginner
windsurfers.
Locally
 | Tennis - we are members of the club at La Mainborgère and you can play as
our guests. |
| Lucon - local market on Thursdays and Saturdays. |
| La Chabotterie (20 mins North of La Roche) - a restored manor house of the
time of the Vendée wars. |
| Lac du Marrillet - just 10 mins walk away is a good location for walking.
Boats can be sailed/rowed on the barrage if you have one. |
| Bird sanctuary - St Denis sur Payre is an excellent wildlife sanctuary
with over 200 visiting species per year. |
| Marais Poitevan (Marshes) - go punting from Arcais, Coulon or Maillezais
(also visit the ruined abbey). |
Further Afield
| La Rochelle - well worth a visit. Many good restaurants. Park near the old
port (vieux port). Kids may enjoy the aquarium. |
| Ile d'Yeu - an hour from St. Gilles Croix de Vie by hydrofoil. This is a
great day's excursion (www.ile-yeu.com).
Hire bikes when you reach Port Joinville on the Island and cycle over to a
nice beach on the South side. |
| Puy du
Fou (www.puydufou.com) -
reconstruction of the buildings, atmospheres and trades of an 18th Century
and a medieval village, together with falconry displays, cavalry spectacles
etc. The Son et Lumière on Fridays and Saturdays from 10pm until midnight
is highly recommended. Using lasers, fireworks, lights, and thousands of
volunteers they vividly reconstruct the story of the Vendéen wars. Need to
book in advance.
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| Poitiers
(1.5 - 2 hrs) and Futuroscope (www.futuroscope.com), a cinema-based theme park with giant IMAX
screens, and 3D hemispheres etc. The
kids will love it but be ready for queues in high Summer. Firework/laser
spectacle in the evening.
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