Vendée: A little bit-known paradise on the French Atlantic coast…

The shoreline of France’s Vendée, generally known as the “Côte de Lumière”, stretches some 250 km and contains 140 km of glowing sandy seashores. South of Nantes, north of Bourdeaux, Vendée boasts each possible panorama: hills and dunes, forests and meadows, rivers, marshes, vineyards, and canals. And, in fact, that limitless expanse of pristine seashores! 

From city to nation, chateau to mattress and breakfasts, there may be loads of luxurious to absorb in Vendée. Focusing (primarily) on Vendée du Sud (the southern a part of the area), right here’s a fast information: must-see experiences, particular eating spots, and distinctive lodging choices.

Les Jardins de William Christie

William Christie is famend all through France and America as a extremely revered baroque music scholar and conductor. His Les Arts Florissant ensembles give over 100 concert events yearly on this planet’s most prestigious live performance halls. 

Whereas nurturing Les Arts Florissant, William Christie additionally completed one other of his goals, explaining: “…to creating a singular and unique backyard round my 17th-century manor home, which is now the setting every year for the pageant Dan les Jardines de William Christie, the place we welcome music lover from everywhere in the world.”  

Each 15 minutes, 5 bells, which symbolize Christie’s greatest pals, ring. They welcome guests to the formal courtyard as if to say, “Are available. That is just the start of your go to to an enchanted backyard.”   

To go to William Christie’s gardens is a elegant expertise for any traveler dwelling out their manor home dream. Situated in Thiré, the gardens are French conventional however have distinctive and sudden crops and eclectic landscapes. From Alice In Wonderland’s undulating hedges to traditional French allées, French American Christie has curated a pleasant secret backyard that may be a must-see within the Vendée du Sud. 

Mourat vineyards

Wine tasters, from amateurs to professionals, will benefit from the Vendean vineyards! In Mareuil sur Lay Dissais go to the Mourat vineyards. Take pleasure in a guided tour of the cellars, or think about making a day of it with a motorcycle tour and picnic, accompanied by Mourat wines, in fact! The setting for this romantic déjeuner is a mill located amongst the vineyards. 

Mourat can be identified for its afternoon-guided tastings of a number of of its vintages. Make sure to ebook upfront. 

The Vrignaud Distillery

The Vrignaud distillery is a model shoot-off from the Mourat household. A number of tasks are in swing from this historic spirits producer.

Together with excursions and tasting experiences, count on lodge lodging in what was as soon as the estates’ stables and workrooms to open in 2025. Sit by the pool with a Negroni made out of Vrignaud pink vermouth this summer time. 

Luçon

When you’re uninterested in beaching and want a little bit of tradition or procuring, head to Luçon. Developed within the Center Ages for its proximity to the ocean, the city is anchored by its cathedral and port. Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, has survived for hundreds of years to turn out to be Vendée’s solely cathedral listed as a historic monument. Make time to listen to the Gothic spire bells and stroll by means of the 16th-century cloister; you’ll admire the restorative impact of your go to. 

Luçon has some enjoyable procuring avenues that aren’t intimidating the way in which Paris could be. It’s additionally identified for its metropolis park, the Jardin Dumaine. I can’t converse personally about this park, as I arrived in Luçon at nightfall (the perils of a too-full itinerary), however it’s listed as one of the vital stunning in France.

Le Macis

Restaurant Le Macis is a beloved native restaurant in Sainte Hermine. The husband-and-wife staff who based and function it (he’s the chef, she’s all the pieces else) have created a homey, community-focused, restaurant, with a complicated aptitude that can make you need to return the subsequent evening. The meals is French-Mediterranean, and the wine choice is spectacular. Le Macis can be a superb worth, and whereas very French, it doesn’t fall again on the usual French fare. (No pomme frites right here.) I used to be staying close by, and this was a straightforward choice, however exit of your approach to expertise this unassuming but delightfully French restaurant. 

La Maison Desamy

La Maison Desamy has simply three rooms, accommodating as much as 35 individuals. It’s small, has minimalist, creatively crisp, decor, and boasts Michelin-starred chef Simon Bessonnet. The gastronomy lunch surprises with every course. Merely scrumptious and a terrific accompaniment to a Mourat winery go to. 

La Marine

Take discover there are 9 eating places in Vendée within the Michelin Information. La Marine is essentially the most acknowledged, with three stars in 2023-2024. Alexandre Coullon is the embellished chef behind La Marine, which borrows inspiration from the place it’s located–on the island of Noirmoutier. Chef Coullon says he has to thank the artisans and assets all through the Vendée that contribute to the success of his institution. Chef additionally has his spouse and enterprise associate Céline to thank for La Marine’s success. In 2024, Las Liste voted their “restaurant child” the third greatest restaurant on this planet! (Noirmouter island is north of Les Sables d’Olonne and never thought of a part of Vendée du Sud.)

Domaine de l’Orfraie

Visitor home, mattress and breakfast, inn, and retreat, Domaine de l’Orfraie is all these, rolled into one welcoming, luxurious barn turned nation home. Accessed by roads between fields and farms Area de l’Orfraie presents visitor rooms with vaulted ceilings, fluffy massive beds, uncovered wooden beams, and all of the facilities you want. A scrumptious family-style breakfast with contemporary jams, fruit, yogurt, pastries, cheeses, charcuteries, and on and on… is served at your comfort in “the barn’s” foremost room. A vegetable backyard and a pool are on property, together with the 2 spacious family-style rooms.

Domaine de l’Orfraie is the dream baby of one other husband and spouse staff. (It appeared each institution I visited in Vendée was family-run!) Spouse Sandrine, previously a nurse, is the prepare dinner and answerable for the divine breakfast buffet, however she’s additionally accessible to supply a picnic lunch or dinner with superior reservations.   

Vendée’s Luxurious Lodging

Director of En Vendée Tourism Eléonore Fourre additionally recommends Hôtel Parc du Landreau and Château de la Barbinière for the area’s luxurious lodging. Shouldn’t it’s a rule that anybody visiting France ought to go, or higher but, keep at a chateau?! 

Château de la Barbinière is each conventional and chicly up to date. It is going to fulfill your French romance novel fantasy, offering sufficient appeal to stage a primary kiss. Their restaurant, l’Orangerie, can be thought of top-tier in Vendée, with fantastically plated meals by chef Nicolas Pasquier that’s served beneath a glass roof. 

Les Sables d’Olonne

France’s Vendée area additionally contains the gorgeous, not-to-be-missed 19th-century seaside metropolis of Les Sables d’Olonne. As for the place to remain there, examine into Lodge Vertime. Throughout from the marina, Lodge Vertime is ideally situated for entry to the world-famous Vendée Globe crusing race. Les Sables d’Olonne’s spectacular seashores and quaint neighborhoods deserve a number of days to discover. Sip native Vendean wine, hire metropolis bikes to discover the salt marshes outdoors the town, or just sit on the seaside, watch the surfers, and browse a ebook. 

Cathie Arquilla

Cathie Arquilla is a journey author from New York Metropolis. When she’s not touring, she helps girls look their greatest as a NYC trend stylist.