|
Nantes | |
|
Poitiers |
| Hire facilities | Tuition available | ||
| Archery | |||
| Canoeing |  |
|
|
| Cycling (*) | |
||
| Golf | |
|
|
| Horse Riding | |
|
|
| Parascending | |
|
|
| Roller- blading | |||
| Sailing | |
|
|
| Sand Yachting | |
|
|
| Sea fishing (out of season) | |||
| Squash | |||
| Surfing | |||
| Swimming | |
||
| Tennis | |
|
|
| Windsurfing | |
|
|
| Water Skiing | |
|
* There are many specially constructed
bike tracks running through the area and inland - often through the forest.
Just off the coast lies the Isle D'Yeu - Marshal Petain was imprisoned here after the Second World War. Take the boat from St Gilles Croix de Vie; explore the coves & beaches and walk the coastal paths with thier unspoilt splendid views. Local markets are held at Sion, Les Marines and St Hilaire de Riez where you can buy a wide range of produce, leather goods, clothes etc.
The Shell museum at Les Sables d'Olonne will fascinate the children, there are more than a thousand tropical shells from all over the world on display.
Visit Oceanile
on the Isle of Noirmoutier. A huge water park with over 20 attractions to enjoy
in the warm water (28C). This is great fun for all the family. Cycle along the
many specially constructed cycle paths in the area.
Le Puy de Fou is famous for its Son et Lumière show when the floodlit chateau provides a spectacular background to its historical pageant. The history of the Vendee is brought to life with special effects, fireworks, fountains, 700 actors and 50 horsemen. The estate covers 74 acres and there is a miniature train, a display of falconry and jousting knights.
Visit historic Nantes, and the Jardin des Plantes, reputed to be one of the most exquisite botanical gardens in France - then dine and soak up the period atmosphere at Brasserie La Cigale, famous for it's Art Nouveau interior and 1890's tilework.
Clisson, about 1½ hours away, is a pretty mediaeval town with an ancient castle. The town has many buildings in the Italian style, inspired by Frederic Lamot, the sculptor, who built Villa Lamot in the same style. It is set in grounds adjacent to the river, where there are pleasant shady walks. Clisson is also the centre of the Muscadet region. Visit the Maison de Pays where you can both taste & buy wines from this region.
The Isle
of Noirmoutier has numerous beauty spots-Renoir stayed here. It can
be reached either via the toll bridge, or by a causeway, the Passage du Gois,
where there are refuge buoys should you be caught out by the rising tide!
Food
|
Sardines, sole, oysters, and mussels etc. caught locally. |
|
Moules Marinières can be tasted everywhere during the summer. |
|
Halbran ~ A local cheese made from cow's milk, hard, but tasty. |
|
Mizotte ~ a cheese which is slightly blander than Halbran. |
|
Brioche Vendéenne ~ a light fluffy sweet bread. |
|
Flan Maraîchin ~ an egg custard in a pastry case. |
|
R'tournez'y ~ a truly delicious ice cream confection made from vanilla, hazelnuts and wild strawberries. |
|
Fouasse ~ a cross between cake and bread. |
|
Tourteau au fromage ~ a black-domed cheesecake made from goat's cheese. It nestles in a pastry case and is much better tasting than it's appearance implies. |
Wines and Spirits
|
Muscadet ~ well known; this is an ideal accompaniment to the region's seafood. |
|
Gros-Plant ~ an even drier white wine, produced from the Folle-Blanche grape. Both Muscadet and Gros-Plant can be purchased 'sur Lie' which means that the lees have been retained longer in the barrel to acquire a near-sparkling quality. |
|
Troussepinette ~ a red aperitif flavoured with hedgerow fruits and Kamok is a coffee based liqueur made in Luçon since 1812. |
|
Séguin, a brandy-type drink is distilled from wines of the Loire in Machecoul. |
|
Pineau de Charentes, a delicious fortified wine to be drunk well chilled as an aperitif. |
|
Cognac ~ which needs no explanation! |
Please see our Maps
and Photographs page.
 |
||
| Copyright
© Frogvillas.co.uk
2001 - 2005 | All rights reserved |
E&OE. Anne Hodges, 3 Granville Place, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 3EA, UK | Tel: 07092 312 648 Note: The details shown on this webpage do not form part of a contract. Site design by GreenAlien.com |
||