Vendee - please can you tell me about the beaches

[HeadHeartorHormones]

I'm rather a traditionalist on the holiday front - if it doesn't include a bucket and spade, swim in the sea and a nosey around some rock pools then it doesn't truly count for me. I'm looking at the Vendee for early summer (Keycamp or similar accommodation). Having just flown the entire west coast of France on Google Earth I'm a little worried that the beaches are long, featureless and possibly windswept. Is this a fair assessment? We have two DSs - 2 & 4 yo. and much as we all love the water none of us are great swimmers so I'd be worried about strong Atlantic currents - even in the shallows.

(Ideally I'd like cornwall but with better food, easier parking and more reliable weather.)

Are there any nice beaches on this strip of coast? I'll be grateful for any insights.

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I've been told there are beaches with rocky coves, rock pools etc but where we were last year was more a long, sandy beach backed by sand-dunes...

DD loved that the water was warm enough to swim in the sea (but she is a good swimmer). But tbh the ds's didn't enjoy being on the beach as much as they usually do - but it was also a bit too hot for them (we are used to cold wet weather in Ireland!) We ended up only going to the beach 3 days out of the 7 we were there - but they all absolutely loved the pool area at the campsite and would have been more than happy to spend every day there!

Which beach did you go to from La Garangeoire Cod? (We're going there this year)

Thank you both. (And a cheeky little bump).

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We stayed at Bel camping at Tranhce sur Mer last year (early July) with 3 DDs (6,4,1). The beach was great - very empty, lovely sand, shallow water for quite a long way out, lots of pools when the tide was coming in/out, shells to collect. The older two safely played in the waves - we were close by but didnt feel the need to go in. Little one paddled at edge. I don't like wind and yes on some days it was windy but we just wrapped up warm. On the hot days the breeze kept the hear bearable.

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DP's parents have a property in the vendee they rent out for hols. I went there once a few years ago but cant remember what beach we went to. Was very nice though! I'll ask later.

Sorry not much help am I?!

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Lucy's mum - what company is that with? Looking for a camping holiday at the moment.

I was trying to work out what seafood delicacy that was before reading down to find it was deep fried doughnut batter!

Off to the biscuit tin.

Lovely beaches at les sables and around there leading to more mudflats at Talmond.

I really fancy going to the ile de oleron one day as iirc J Depp frequents there its supposed to have everything, beaches, great cycling, woodlands.

Just looking out of the window here and theres about 5cm of snow .... I need a summer beach holiday too

lucysmum, we were at Bel at the same time as you! Going back this year too, but later in July.

Cornsilk - we went with Eurocamp, really impressed with them.

Bigfatbump - small world ! Might have seen you in the (tiny) soft play area ?

I've been there 3 times and never been in the soft play. We would have been in the bar every most evenings though, and dd would have been playing with her 2 boyfriends lol.