France .. The Vendée

19 August

‘À bientôt’ to Camping La Garenne.  We hit the road!  We got lost after about ten minutes and ended up following a cycle path down one of the canals in the Marais Poitevin!  By this time it was raining heavily, the first we’d had in five weeks, we continued on a country road

until we arrived at an 'Aires' in Maillezais, travelling a total distance of about 15kms!  Haha!

Later the rain cleared and we went exploring the quaint little village, the old Abbey of St Michael and the canals.  We decided to stay the night here along with the thirty or so other vans.

20 August

Travelled up the Atlantic Coast, through the pine forests into the Vendée region, stocked up at ‘Super U’ then continued to Givrand situated 7 kms from Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and ‘Camping Domaine de Beaulieu’ (23 euros from 20 August then ACSI kicks in 13 euros from 27 August).  The camp has a large swimming pool complex, restaurant/bar and fridges available for hire.  It’s on the ‘vèlodyssée’, a 1250 kms cycle path travelling the length of the Atlantic Coast and finishing on the French/Spanish border.  We chose a large shady pitch away from the crowds that are still here in the last week of the school holidays.  We note the large number of GB number plates. 

21 August

Took the cycle path through the forest and along the sand dunes to Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, an attractive seaside resort known for it’s fishing harbour specialising in sardines.  Here, Benjamin Beneteau started manufacturing fishing boats in 1884 and today his firm is the world’s leader in the manufacture of sailing boats.   

The community originated in 1967 from the unification of two communities on either side of the estuary of the river Vie.  A quick look at the long sandy beach. 

A quick look at the long sandy beach then into town where we joined the crowds at the Sunday market held on the ‘parking area’ near the harbour.  Bread is being cooked ‘on site’, the sardines are being grilled and the ‘moules frites’ are always popular!  We enjoyed our ‘still warm’ bread and ‘Cantel’ cheese overlooking the harbour.  

Crossed the bridge and wandered the town, then biked up to the start of the Corniche Vendéene for a great panorama. This town, although touristy, has managed to retain it’s charm and a laid-back feel,we enjoyed it.

After 20 kms we were back at camp and into the pool!

22 August

A beautiful bike ride by the sand dunes along the coast, through the forest and little seaside beach resorts including Brétignolles-Sur-Mer, pass the marshes and canals to the seaside town of Les Sables-d’Olonne.  

Strolled up through the town dominated by the beach, the ‘Grand Plage’, and walked the promenade which runs the full length of the beach.  

Les Sables-d’Olonne was one of France’s original holiday destinations and there are still many Victorian buildings remaining, along with the 1970’s style appartments lining the promenade.  

We were kids when we were last here and although the town has grown and changed, Col remembered the wooded area at the end of the promenade where we parked our ‘Kombie’, great memories!  Lunch at the Patisserie overlooking the variety of eateries and high-end shops.  As we biked the promenade on our way out of town, we noted the characteristic area with fish restaurants that face the fishing port and new marina.

Les Sables-d’Olonne is an elegant town with a magnificent beach where we went ‘crevetting’ all those years ago!  

68 kms and we were back at camp after one of the best bike rides we’ve had - lots of variety and amazing bike paths!

23 August   

A glorious day spent around the pool!

24 August

Followed the bike path through St-Gilles to the low rugged cliffs of the Corniche Vendéene just north of the town, passed the small sandy coves and ending at the sandy bay at Sion-sur-l’Ocean, a very picturesque part of our ride.  Continued through the commune of St. Hillaire-de-Riez, through forests protecting long sandy beaches, busy little touristy towns and fun parks as we near St. Jean de Monts, a holiday resort in the north of the Vendée.  

We biked the long seafront promenade lined with 1970’s style apartment blocks, then down to the small beach village.  The entire area is geared towards tourists, evidently the beach slopes gently into the sea so it’s shallow for a large distance with minimal waves, it's also supervised in several places  making it very popular with families and kids, seems particularly popular with the Brits.  All great for the kids but  too ‘Hidi Hi’ for us!

Back to cute Sion-sur-l’Ocean for a picnic lunch and bought ‘bike ends’ for Col’s bike.  After 52 kms and a great bike ride, we were back at camp!

25 August 

Biked back to Sion-sur-l’Ocean to the Bike Shop as we didn’t have the tools to attach Col’s ‘bike ends’ bought yesterday.  Easily fixed by the ‘expert’ in the shop.  Back to St-Gilles and worked our way through the traffic to the 'Grand Plage'.  Walked the wonderful promenade lining the magnificent sandy beach with it’s variety of eateries and cold drinks.  Lots of swimming and a picnic lunch in the sand.  Nice to be back at the beach again, feels like we’re ‘on holiday’! 

25 kms and back at camp.

Coffee, then walked back to the 'Grand Plage' nearest to our camp and enjoyed the body surfing!

The camp is ‘thinning out’ as the school holidays are coming to an end.

26 August

A run, a walk and a ‘cruisey’ day spent around the pool!  Met Ian, Carol and Jake (the ‘smiling’ Springer Spaniel) from Scotland.

27 August

We moved to another pitch which had more shade.  In the afternoon we took Jake for a walk to the 'Grand Plage' nearest to our camp, he loved it!  In the evening, Ian, Carol and Jake came over for an 'aperitif'.

28 August

Had great fun taking Jake for a long walk along the 'Grand Plage' and then following the River Vie along the walkway  into St-Gilles.  We couldn’t keep Jake out of the water, he loved swimming and playing ‘fetch the stick’, he couldn’t keep the smile off his face! 

14 kms and Jake was back at camp with his mum and dad.