Camping in Vendee

Vendee, a department along the western coast of France, is named after the Vendee river which runs though the region. (A French department is similar to an American county.) It is also home to some absolutely gorgeous scenery and fantastic historical sites. If you are planning on going to Vendee or just like the idea of it, you should consider camping when you get there. In addition to being a lot of fun, and helping to cut vacation costs, camping will allow you to see see thing and experience places that you would otherwise miss.

The Vendee region is situated in the middle of France's western coast, on the Atlantic. Historically, it has seen quite a bit of war, as many French protestants lived there when the French Wars of Religion broke out. The region was also the location for much of the fighting in the Hundred Years' War. It also saw more conflict when the French peasants revolted against the government in 1793.

Geographically, the region has over 120 miles of coastline, with sandy beaches and rather mild climate. It also has four rivers that run through it (including the Vendee) and several hundred square miles of forest and mountains. The main beach resort, known as Les Sables d'Olonne, is on the coast in the central area of the region. There are also beach resorts as far north as Saint Jean de Monts, and as far south as La Tranche sur Mer.

In addition to the beaches, there are a number of other attractions in the area. The marshes of Marais Poitevin, known for their teeming wildlife, are a popular spot for camping, as well as the forests around the town of Mervent. If you feel like doing something a bit more touristy, then you certainly can't miss the Puy du Fou, a historical theme park located in Les Epesses, in the heart of the Vendee region. The Puy du Fou, second only to Euro Disney for the number of travelers it receives, is a theme park that focuses on the history of the region. It features historical reenactments, jousting, sword fighting, horseback riding, mock battles, gladiatorial combat, bird shows and more!

Camping opportunities abound in the Vendee region, but there are several areas that you'll want to be sure to check out. Nearly all of the beach resorts in the region offer camping areas with varying degrees of amenities. You can also camp on many of the islands off the coast. The island of Re is great for those wanting to find smaller, less traveled beaches. Imagine sitting in your camping chairs, next to a roaring fire, watching the sun set from a beach in France! How great would that be?

The island of Noirmoutier is another fantastic camping destination. Started as an early monastic settlement in the 600s AD, the area boasts a beautiful church with a Roman crypt, a 12th century castle, and a bustling marketplace. You can also rent bikes to travel around on the island to see all of the sites.

If you are interested in see some quaint fishing villages and town, there are several great options available, with St Gilles Croix de Vie being the most well known. These villages offer excellent selections of freshly caught seafood, as well as regional celebrations and festivals.

Here are several business that offer camping opportunities in Vendee. Some of them simply offer campsites for you to pitch your tent, while others offer cabins and RVs for rent. Check out their websites for more information.

Roche Evasion Sarl - www.rocheevasion.fr

Camping Domaine des Forges - www.campingdomainedesforges.com

Camping Le Pin Parasol - www.campingpinparasol.fr

Camping Les Logeries - www.camping-logeries.com

Camping Le Pong - www.lepong.com

Camping des Brunelles - www.les-brunelles.com

For more information on camping topics, check out the links to my other Hubs below.

• Buying a camping table
• Camping cooking guide
• Camping chairs guide
• Camping cooking supplies guide