Domaine de l'Orée

Eying up Les Sables-d'Olonne (10 minutes’ drive) for your first outing? There’s plenty to keep you occupied for a whole day, between the promenade, museums, fishermen's houses, historic sites and casinos. One of the casinos, Casino JOA des Sables d'Olonne (20 minutes), looks like it should be in Louisiana rather than France, and it also has a miniature golf course and evening musical performances. If your kids are keen animal spotters, they should have plenty to point at when wandering around Zoo des Sables d'Olonnes (20 minutes), whether it’s penguins, lions or anteaters. For other easy activities, there is a seawater pool on the Remblai promenade with a spa (including a hammam and hot tub), several weekly markets (including a covered market in the city centre) selling regional treats and plenty of lovely terraces to watch the boats come and go. The town centre is packed with historic sites such as the 19th-century villas along the promenade and buildings like Église Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Port des Sables-d'Olonne. Elsewhere, head for outdoor activities in Foret d'Olonne (half an hour’s walk) or theme park rides at Puy du Fou (an hour and five minutes).