Le Domaine Beaulieu

Bretignolles-sur-Mer, Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez and Saint Gilles Croix de Vie have enough going on to keep you happily occupied for months – after that, there's Les Sables d’Olonne to investigate, and the esteemed isles of Yeu and Noirmoutier. Your nearest beach Bretignolles is quieter than its neighbours, but still has stacks of stuff to do in the summer months: surfing, sailing and kitesurfing are easily accessible if you're feeling waterly active, and bowling, an amusement park and the Vendée Miniature museum if you're not. You can bike to other sandy spots around the coast via the safe and flat cycling paths, or head inland to Commequiers to loop along the old railway velorail. However you get there, make some time in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez for its Atlantic Tobaggan waterpark and L'ile-aux-Jeux play park, then in Saint Gilles to laze on its lengthy beach or take out a boat for a spot of sea fishing. Then hail the ferry to the smashing little island of Yeu/Île d'Yeu – to hike or cycle around its 23 square kilometres via viewpoints, small beaches and the 14th-century castle ruins and towering lighthouse of the rocky south coast.