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Very well located, it is only 10 miles from the nearest seaside resort (Les Sables d’Olonne) as well as the long , sandy, tree-lined beaches of the west coast and the quieter bays to the south east. Sables also has over 20 restaurants at the port from as low as 14€ for an evening set 3 course meal, and 10€ for a lunch time meal.
New for 2013 – Ste Foy is opening a new tourist park on the far side of Ste Foy ( 500m from the centre of the village = direction RD109 Talmont St. Hilaire ) from our Villa – only 2 miles, with about 75 acres of Equestrian events for all you horse lovers, with an evening horse show starting on Saturday 13/07/13 at 21.30, to open up the new park, with 9-12 riders dressed as Cavaliers / telling the story of during the Russian revolution, and other exploits in Europe and Italy with 15-20 horses – showing off their prowess, - “ Le Voyage de Zabederio “ followed by a firework display. Also every Tuesday and Wednesday at 21.30 from 16/07 to 28/08/13 – a horse display - duration 1hr.30m, with the possibility of snacks + drinks starting at 20.00 hrs. – the tourist office has all the info and to make a reservation please ring : (+33) 0251338277 [ we just turned up + paid cash - as only 100-200 people there ] There is now 2014 = horse riding for hire, a huge lake to walk around with parking and seats ( an easy bike ride away ), and other sports facilities. www.poleequestrevendeen.com – has a video on it, - so view and see if you would like to go and see it.
Also Surf beaches near Bretignolles sur Mer.
Enjoy the bustling street markets in many of the nearby towns and villages, full list at the Farmhouse.
An hour and a half away is La Rochelle, the beautiful historic town also known as the gateway to the Ile de Ré. Only 45 miles away is the medieval theme park Le Puy du Fou. The airports of Nantes and La Rochelle are each about 60 miles away.
Supermarkets, shops, chemists, café/bars, fish, meat, and bread shops and restaurant at 5 miles.
Attractions in the local "Pays des Achards" district:
Lovely walks and bike trails to explore and parks with large lakes which can be fished.
Le Potager Extraodinaire – themed kitchen garden at La Mothe-Achard, full of different Squashes, hanging from tressles etc.
Educational Farm at Martinet, including a pony club
Elevage des Daims – a deer farm at La Chapelle Achard
Vignoble de l’Atrie – vineyards at Beaulieu sous la Roche, with samples of Vendeen wines
Glassware and pottery workshops – on the Aizenay road from Beaulieu
Art studios, in Beaulieu sous la Roche, La Chapelle Hermier, St Julien des Landes
In the wider western Vendee area:
Museum du Coquillage at Les Sables d’Olonne, displays of shells, corals, crustaceans etc.
The Marais Poitevin, "Green Venice", centred on the town of Marans, about an hour away. A network of peaceful waterways, where boats can be hired. Also a mining museum, at Faymoreau, and the Abbaye St. Pierre Maillezais.
The Chateau at Talmont – St. Hilaire, one of Richard the Lionheart’s favourite residences, about a quarter hour’s drive away.
The Zoo des Sables d’Olonne.
A Thalassotherapie centre at Olonne sur Mer, with nearby yacht and surf schools.
Two casinos, at Les Sables d’Olonne and Olonne sur Mer.
The house of Georges Clemenceau, revered French politician, at St.Vincent sur Jard, to the east of the Olonne area. This village also has a very pleasant beach, as do nearby Jard sur Mer and La Tranche sur Mer on the same coast.
At Coex, about a half an hour away, is the Jardin des Olfacties, a garden with an array of aromatic plants. In the same district is "Velo Rail", where visitors can pedal-propel rail cycles along an old railway line.
There are 3 golf courses at Chateau d’Olonne, La Roche sur Yon and Port Bourgenay.
The Parc Floral et Tropical de la Court d’Aron is an exotic garden on the main D949 between Les Sables d’Olonne and Lucon.
At Lucon, the Cathedral is a mixture of different architectural styles over several centuries, and there is a large public garden.
Again on the D949, between Les Sables and Talmont, is a large automobile museum.
Further away:
Le Puy du Fou isTHE theme park with spectacular re-enactments from different ages, - Vikings, 1900 France, Medieval Village, 18th century village, Musketeers, Knights fighting, Roman Gladiators in a chariot race + Gauls - fighting tigers and lions etc, magic and puppets , an extremely full day’s entertainment, and the night time shows - Ogans of Fire, and Cinescenic - the story of the Vendee Wars, with full battle scenes ( with about 1400 people ) about 70 km away.
At Les Herbiers, in the same area, is a restored railway, which often runs a steam-hauled train , on Saturday, Wednesday and school holidays.
Futuroscope, more distant at 180 km, is a theme park with futuristic multi-media presentations.
PANDAS : Beauval Zoo which is 3hrs 30 mins away, has now got 2 Pandas = Huan Huan - Happy, she sticks out her tongue, and Yuan Zi - Chubby - he is sporty and likes climbing. The Zoo is in department 41 - Loir et Cher, near Le Mans, and Anger. It is just east of Tours. It can be accessed on the way to our Farmhouse, it would take a couple of hours to deviate to the Zoo.
