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Vendee Holiday Cottages

Vendee is located in Western France with many Vendee holiday cottages lying near the 100 miles of sandy beaches that dominate its coast. Popular with tourists, the region has a rich collection of historical sites such as churches, abbeys and museums. Harbour towns and great walking country make Vendee an ideal destination for holiday cottages rental.

A vast selection of signposted footpaths and cycle routes wind through the countryside, ideal for hikers and ramblers. These paths afford some fine views of the marshlands and mud flats of the coast and meander past a number of the fine rivers and lakes. The region is also famous for its wine, with vineyards dominating much of the countryside - the Muscadet and Gros Plant wines originate here

The wheat plains and wooded hills found further inland offer a delightful contrast to the coast. This area is bursting with French rural character and charm and is steeped in history. Historical sites worth seeing include the abbey at Neuil sur Lautise and the Château de Terre Neuve. The Centre Minier de Faymoreau is also a must-see with its realistic representation of Vendee's mining past.

There are over 3500 miles of navigable waterways that work their way through the countryside and wind past award winning towns such as Vouvant, which has been recognised for its beauty and character. Harbour towns such as Saint-Gilles and Les Sables d'Olonne help contribute to the region as do the picturesque hillsides of the Haut Bocage. Book Vendee hoilday cottages and self catering properties through the cottage company featured below.

Rent Vendee Holiday Cottages with Cottages 4 You

Vendee self-catering attractions

This tranquil area of France offers cottage holidaymakers almost as much sunshine as the Riviera because of its micro- climate. It is a land of woods and salt marshes and bordered by miles of beautiful, sandy beaches - perfect for families and those who like to spend time enjoying outdoor sports.

Outdoor activities
With the largest complex of man - made waterways in France, the Vendee is a nature lovers’ paradise and boats and punts to explore the countryside are available for rent in the surrounding villages. For canoe outings, contact La Route du Sel. Wind-surfing on Apremont Lake is popular and keen fishermen can buy permits from the Tourist Information office. Bait is readily available, as well as tackle, in the local shops and markets. T

here are numerous well marked cycle routes and walking trails. The Vendee has five 18 hole golf courses and many towns in the region have horse racing venues with a mixture of flat and steeple chase. Increasingly popular along the coast is surfing and you can hire equipment from the surf-shops springing up around the beach areas.

Vendee Beach

Food and drink
The area is renowned for its seafood - sardines, seabass, lobsters, scallops and langoustines all feature on the menus of the region’s restaurants. Other regional specialities are jambon de Vendee (cured ham) duck and wild black-feathered chicken (poulet noir) La Fonterable is an old coaching inn in Fontenay whoch serves regional dishes and offers a vegetarian option. Near La Tranche, Les Flots Bleus is a lively bistro serving salads, omelettes and galettes.

La Chaine Longue in St Jean is a creperie which uses fillings of scallops and shellfish - a very modern popular restaurant with views of the beach. Families might enjoy La Mortiere, a friendly, informal waterside restaurant which has reasonably priced menus. It’s a good place to take the children as it has a large play area.

Chateua Terre Neuve

History and Culture
Between 1793 and 1799, a counter-revolutionary movement swept this area of western France when the region rebelled against the Republicans. 80, 000 Royalists were massacred as they tried to cross the Loire. The Chapel of le Petit Luc at Les Lucs sur Boulogne is a moving memorial to the victims of the massacre of 563 women, children and old men in 1794. To learn more about the local history of the area, visit Le Puy de Fou in Les Epesses to see the spectacular evening show.

The magnificent 16th century Chateau Terre Neuve has a wonderful collection of 17th and 18th century paintings and furniture. It's open 1st May to 30th September from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 2.00 to 7.00 daily. Another site worth seeing is the Logis de la Chabotterie at St Sulpice-le-Verdon, an elegant manor house and gardens restored in the 18th century.