Pays-de-la-Loire Days Out: Vendee (85)

Aquarium Le 7eme Continent: Tropical Aquarium at Talmont St Hilare, with realistic Seascapes. Free parking for up to 600 cars, catering, and disabled access. Annual passes available. Open almost all year. Call for entry prices and seasonal opening times.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 32 30 00 

Atlantic Adventure at Challans: Paintballing, Quads, Canoeing... Everything Macho and outdoors. "Rambo Kits" available. Equipment and supervision supplied. English spoken. Call or see website for details.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 49 80 78 / 06 07 81 64 33 

Atlantic Toboggan Water Park: Water park with wave pool, 100m long river with inflatable rings, fun pool for children, fitness pool with jacuzzi, bubbles and geysers. Picnic areas and on-site catering facilities available. In St Hilaire de Riez (85).
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Tel: 02 51 58 05 37 Fax: 02 51 59 64 92

Automobile Museum of Vendee: A car museum with a collection of all types of cars, with the web site offering some for sale, circa 1930 and up. Can be found on the Route des Sables d'Olonne, Talmont- St-Hilaire (85). Open from 1 April - 31 may and 1 September - 1 October.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02.51.22.05.81 Fax: 02.51.22.06.20

Cairn-Stone Age Museum: 7 acres of park land in St Hilaire la Foret, Vendee. See how Neolithic man built the first dwellings, discovered making fires and knapping flintstone. Take part in activity workshops: pottery, Neolithic face-painting. Short guided tours in English.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 33 38 38 Fax: 02 51 90 60 92

Chateau d'Apremont: 13th century chateau overlooking the valley of the river La Vie. Exhibition inside the chateau - The Admiral's Dream. At Apremont, Vendee.
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Tel: 02 51 55 73 66 Fax: 02 51 55 42 41

Chateau de Talmont: A fun day out with Historic reinactments and activities for kids of all ages. Jousting with Shetland ponies, crossbows and a world of mystery. Night time light shows. Email or call for more details.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 90 27 43 Fax: 02 51 20 73 24

Chateau Tiffauges de Barbe-Bleue: Barbe-Bleue alias Gilles de Rais, joined Joan of Arc in Orleans. The Chateau can be found in Tiffauges (85), with visits and tours of the chateau and the "Machine de Guerre" exhibition. Open:1 April to 15 September. Free 16/17 September.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 65 70 51 Fax: 02 51 65 75 67

Ecomusee du Marais Breton Vendeen: Visit the Ecomusee du Breton Vendeen at Le Daviaud, 85550, La Barre de Monts. See website for further details.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 93 84 84 

Ecomusee le Daviaud: Lying between sea and land, the Marais Breton Vendeen, the marshes of the hinterland. This is the Eco-museum le Daviaud in La Barre des Monts (85). Situated on a 60 hectare estate the museum has tours and presentations of it's eco system.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 93 84 84 Fax: 02 51 49 26 70

Floral & Tropical Park of La Court d'Aron: Located between Lucon and Les Sables d'Olonne at St-Cyr-en-Talmondais. From Easter to the end of September. Real world tour of the exotic botany heritage.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 30 86 74 Fax: 02 51 30 89 67

Indian Forest: Climb and swing through the trees at this treetop adventure land. At Le Bois Lambert, Le Bernard, Vendee. See website for further information.
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Tel: 02 51 48 12 12 Fax: 02 51 34 35 99

Jardin du Vent: An unusual garden in which visitors can enjoy an artistic, entertaining and instructive stroll around the living sculptures, wind chimes, legends and things meteorological. At 29 bis rue Gilbert Cesbron, Notre Dame de Monts.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 28 11 26 43 Fax: 02 28 11 27 36

L'Abbaye de l'Ile Chauvet: On an island in the middle of the marshes is this 12th century abbaye, founded by benedictine monks. The former monastery has interesting architectural remains including the monks' dormitory, kitchen with bread oven, and the cellars. At Bois de Cene.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 68 13 19 

L'Abbaye de Maillezais: Benedictine abbey, once the burial place of the dukes of Aquitaine, built in 1003. At Maillezais, Vendee.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 87 22 80 Fax: 02 51 87 22 81

L'Abbaye de Nieul sur L'Autise: Founded in 1068, in the 12th century the abbey was granted Royal Abbey status by Eleanor of Aquitaine, then Queen of France. The abbey's Romanesque cloister is the only one in western France to have been preserved intact. At 1 allee du Cloitre.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 50 43 00 Fax: 02 51 50 43 01

L'Express Montois: Welcome on board the Saint-Jean-de-Monts tourist trains, from April to September. And out of season for groups.
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Tel: 06 08 18 28 45 

L'Ile aux Papillons: Stroll amongst hundreds of butterflies from the four corners of the world, flying freely among tropical plants and flowers, in France's largest butterfly house. At ZA des Mandeliers (behind Intermarche), La Gueriniere, Ile de Noirmoutier.
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Tel: 02 51 35 77 88 

L'Ile de Yeu: Island just off the Vendee Coast. Regular Ferry crossings from Fromentine. Attractions include the town of Port Joinville, Le Vieux Chateau and the Plage et Port des Vieilles. Island Tourist office number listed.
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Tel: 02 51 58 32 58 

La Ferme des Pommettes: Children can feed tame animals, play crazy and family golf, take a pony or tractor ride. At Le Perrier, Saint-Jean-de-Monts.
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Tel: 02 51 59 02 26 

La Maison de l'Ane: Childrens farm in the heart of the Vendee marshes, see and learn about the various breeds of donkeys. Trekking and carriage-driving and donkey rides. At Route du Gois, Beauvoir sur Mer.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 93 85 70 / 06 15 45 11 63 

La Reserve Naturelle de Saint Denis du Payre: Wet grasslands nature reserve - home to 120 species of wild birds each year. Visitor centre, slide show, bird-watching tower. Pathway on stilts leads to an observatory with 18 telescopes and seats. At Saint Denis du Payre, Vendee.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 27 23 92 Fax: 02 51 27 24 44

Le Chateau de Terre Neuve: Built in 1580 by Nicolas Rapin. The famous writer Georges Simenon lived here from 1940-1943. Original paintings, furniture, collections and splendid items of clothing from the 17th and 18th centuries. At Fontenay le Comte, Vendee.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 69 17 75 / 02 51 69 99 41 Fax: 02 51 50 00 83

Le Logis de la Chabotterie: Historic Chateau at St Sulpice le Verdon, with insights into medieval life, and the Vendee War. Holds regular events and has well-kept French Gardens. See where General Charette was captured in 1796. Opening times and tariffs on the website.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 42 81 00 Fax: 02 51 42 46 22

Le Moulin de Raire: 16th Century operational Windmill in a tranquil setting, at Sallertaine. Produces it's own Organic Flour and produce. Picnic area, workshop, cafe and shop. Call or see website for more details.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 35 51 82 Fax: 02 51 35 60 51

Le Moulin des Gourmands: The Pere Aristide Praud mill was built in 1842. Tour the mill, the baker's bakehouse with wood-fired oven. Taste galettes, crepes, pizza. Play facilities and donkeys. At Rue Rene Bazin, Saint Reverend.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 60 16 72 Fax: 02 51 55 43 75

Le Perrier Skiff & Kart: Enjoy a trip on a skiff, accompanied by a guide, and penetrate to the heart of the marshland. Discover its rich and colourful wildlife along the Perrier canal. From mid-June to mid-September. Trips last 45-90 minutes. Booking recommended.
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Tel: 02 51 55 58 03 

Le Petite Moulin de Chateauneuf: 3 century old windmill which has never stopped grinding since 1703. Take a tour, hosted by the Vrignaud family - millers here since the 18th century. At Chateauneuf.
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Tel: 02 51 49 31 07 Fax: 02 51 49 31 07

Le Velo Rail: Pedal along 10km of former railway line, travelling in railcars for 2-4 persons. Cross the river Vie and pass through the former Saint Maixent sur Vie railway station. At Gare du Velo-Rail, Commequiers.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 54 79 99 Fax: 02 51 55 43 75

Les Iles du Marais Poitevin: An area of inland waterways and Villages - much like the Norfolk Broads, in the Marshlands of the Western Vendee. Chaille les Marais is the central town in the area. Call the local Tourist office or see the website for more information.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 56 71 17 Fax: 02 51 56 71 36

Les p'tits Mousses: Hire of electric boats for navigation on the river Jaunay. Direction La Grande Plage, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie.
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Tel: 06 61 16 08 59 

Maison de Georges Clemenceau: In 1919, after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, Georges Clemenceau retired here. He created an impressionist-style garden on the dunes. The house is as it was when he died in 1929, with his furniture/memorabilia. At Saint-Vincent-sur-Jard.
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Tel: 02 51 33 40 32 Fax: 02 51 33 50 71

Mini Ville: Reduced-scale models of traditional French houses. Mini Ville features homes in the French countryside, region by region. These reproduction mini-houses have been made using materials from the areas represented. At L'Epine-Ile de Noirmoutier.
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Tel: 06 81 21 69 88 

Mining Centre of Faymoreau: Journey in the depth of the coal mines. At the Centre Minier at Faymoreau, Vendee. All year long discover the museum, with the descent inside the roadways, the mining village and Carmelo Zagari's stained glass windows (Miners Chapel).
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 00 48 48 Fax: 02 51 00 50 96

Musee Andre Deluol: Museum and exhibition of Artist and Sculptor Andre Deluol. Exhibits in various styles of many subjects. At 1 Rue de l'Entendard, St Michel en l'Herm. Further info from the Tourist Office..
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Tel: 02 51 30 21 89 

Musee Automobile de Vendee: Discover the History of French motoring at Talmont-St-Hilaire. Established in 1976. Open every day From April to October. Parking available, Picnic area, souvenir shop. Disabled access. Call or see the website for more details.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 22 05 81 Fax: 02 51 22 06 20

Oceanile - Water Park: Oceanile is a water park on the little island of Noirmoutier just off the coast of Vendee (85) at La Barre de Monts. Complete water park with typical attractions: water slide, waterfalls, jacuzzi, wave pool, covered swimming. Web site in English.
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Tel: 02 51 35 91 35 

Parc d'Animation de la Ferme Equi'libre: At Les 4 Moulins, Sallertaine. July and August. 10 hectares of countryside. 6 different equestrian activities daily in 30000m2 of corn maze. Children's farm, cockerel/hen living museum, beekeeper, mini-farm, pony rides, buttermaking, produce tasting.
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Tel: 02 51 35 52 03 Fax: 02 28 10 43 54

Puy du Fou - Parc Attraction: The Puy du Fou is a must for kids and adults alike. In the Vendee (85), at rue Georges Clemenceau, Les Epesses. A castle with medieval enactments and attractions on a grand scale. Check web site for opening times, which are seasonal.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 64 11 11 Fax: 02 51 57 35 47

Quad en Vendee: Trips and tours from half day to a few days out on a quad visiting the area of Bretignolles sur Mer (85). If you choose the longer rando, then they have a gite for 6 people to rent > La Rouliere > Self Catering Cottages & Gites to Rent category
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 38 56 68 50 / 06 03 57 03 84 

Sealand Aquarium de Noirmoutier: Aquarium open February to November. Enter Sealand, enter the water world. Fantastic universe of underwater flora and fauna. 500,000 litres of water, 200m circuit, 200 different species, 1000 creatures. At Le Vieux Port, Noirmoutier.
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Tel: 02 51 39 08 11 Fax: 02 51 39 88 12

Tannerie: Visit Bruno Bocquier Tannerie, free visit. Tanning, skins for sale, decoration, percussion instruments. Open all year round. Please book for groups. At Route de Saint-Gilles, Commequiers, 85220.
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Tel: 02 51 55 93 42 

Trees & Adventure: At a height of 1 to 20 metres off the ground, monkey bridges and tarzan jumps link together from 1 tree to the next, in the shade of pine trees, in the La Paree Jesus forest. Open April to September. At St Jean de Monts.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 06 22 61 45 98 

Vendee Miniature: 1/10th scale model village with carts, crafts and trades, stone houses, water mill. Village centre with 3m high church and its shops. 600 small figures bring this typical Vendee bocage village to life. At 50 rue du Pregneau, Bretignolles sur Mer.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 22 47 50 Fax: 02 51 22 47 54

Venice Verte: Explore Venice Verte (Green Venice) by canoe / boat, in the Marais Poitevin, South Vendee. Port des Halles, Maillezais.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 87 10 15 

Zoo des Sables d'Olonne: Zoological park with an Endangered-species breeding programme. Set in 3ha of established land. Partner to the Doue Zoo in Maine et Loire. Open from mid-February to late October. See wbsite for further details. Annual tickets available.
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Send an e-mail Tel: 02 51 95 14 10 Fax: 02 51 95 01 80