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Velo rail is great.

Canoing on the salt flats at La chaume.

The zoo in les sables

Brettingnole beach and inland lake - great for the kids

Parc d'attractions des dunes at brem.

Any questions please ask

As previously mentioned  just behind the beach at La Normandeliere, Bretignolles is a man made pool where the sea water has been pumped back to create a safer beach enviroment - i.e. no currents, not too deep, sheltered from the Atlantic winds but the same experience as being at the beach. The beach itself at Bretignolles is just as good. There is also a small, but perfectly formed play park on the path between the inland pool and the beach and ice creams and chichis on sale on the road behind.

The Parc Des Dunes at Brem Sur Mer is a favourite of all our kids. Pack swimwear and a picnic. The park is divided into two halfs - we usually spend the morning in the first half, have a picnic lunch (although there is a cafe) and the afternoon in the second half. There is stuff here for all ages, including adults.

Each year we also have a lunch out at St Gilles Croix de Vie. There is a market here in the morning (can't remember which days) loads of family friendly places for lunch along the river and a two storey carousel for all of us to take a post lunch ride on. Beach nearby.

I would also second the Chateau d'Apremont, the zoo at Sables D'Olonne and the most amazing Puy De Fou.  There is a great Aquarium at La Rochelle but the journey there is pretty horrific and La Rochelle very busy.

We did go to the Vendee Miniature last year, a large model village in Bretignolles. Whilst being quite a remarkable model village it was quite a lot of money for not much reward (i.e. £25 for us to get in for less than an hour). I wouldn't go back. We also went to the Jardin des Vents at St Jean des Monts a couple of years back, very pleasant but again probably not worth the drive (or the fact that you have to go to St  Jean des Monts!) to warrant the hour or so you will spend there.

This year we want to try the Velorail and some of the beaches beyond the forests south of Bretignolles.

 I also have Angela Birds book on the Vendee - worth getting.

Hope this helps and apologies if I have repeated other posts.

Hx

Also, forgot to mention:

Le fete de Lac du Jaunay - this is usually near the beginning of August and a short walk from the campsite. They have food on sale and a band playing followed by a fantastic firework display. It does go on until quite late though (fireworks after 10pm). Take warm clothes and blankets to sit on. Oh and a bottle of vino. The kids can run around or little ones can crash out. You will need a torch to get back through the forest to the campsite.

A little later in August (too late for us last year) is the Fete du Boeuf and des Battages at Landevielle about 10 mins drive away. This goes on all day and is a lovely little French festival. Food and drink on sale (lovely cider), agricultural and craft demonstrations, dancing etc with a big hog roast in the evening.

>>This year we want to try...some of the beaches beyond the forests south of Bretignolles

Those beaches are very nice when you get there but the lengthy walk through the forest is a teeny bit sinister and isolated. It may just be me but there were not many families in evidence the day we visited.

Take a fishing rod for the site and for the lake behind it, Fireworks are let off from Le Pin which is across the lake I seem to remember on a Sat or Sun.

Le Puy De Fou was a great day out although quite expensive.

Beaches are good for bodyboarding although some more than others, just explore the different ones.

Oh and go to the beach around lunchtime, you'll see all the French in the forests etc having the large family picnics, they then decend to the beaches around 2ish at that point you will be mobbed and wont be able to park for miles!!

We enjoyed Guyonaire, its a great site, big but with a small friendly feel to it.