Le Bois Dormant

The Le Bois Dormant owners reckon that the beaut sandy beaches of St Jean-de-Monts are among the most beaut in all of France (we know that's saying summat): head here for boat trips, sailing, windsurfing, fishing and jetskiing on their waters as well as horse riding, go-karting and cycling around their coast. And the site owners say that the the Saturday morning market and superb local produce a few kilometres from town shouldn't be missed either. .. Nearby St Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is famed for its fresh sardines and so of course these should most certainly be sampled, along with the vintage tinned sardines millésimées available to buy (bring some home; they're a mighty purty souvenir). The Maison du Pêcheur museum, a former fishermen’s cottage, is a big hit with kids who visit the area, even those who won't sample their sardines. (Le tsk.) Also famed in the region is le petite island of Noirmoutier about 45km away, with its beach bathing huts of the vintage variety, its long stretches of sand (Bois de La Chaize is mighty pretty), its seventh century monastery ruins and its splashtastic Oceanile waterpark. About half an hour's drive away is the old village of Apremont, another beaut spot in the region and with another beaut sandy beach as well as a medieval castle and a big lake where adventurers can hire pedalos, flat-bottomed boats and canoes. Et afterwards? Work off one's appetite at the bar and restaurant with spectacular lake views.