Chez Gites

Theme Parks

Puy du Fou (Europe's second biggest attraction) is an hour away, with Roman chariot races, Vikings, Birds of Prey, Medieval City, 100 Years War, & Musketeers; Futuroscope in Poitiers offers Children's World, Cyber Avenue, Forest of Dreams, Aquatic Fantasy, Digital City

Amusement/Adventure Parks/Zoos

Indian Forest (Adventure Park in French) can be found at Parc de Pierre Brune in Mervent as well as Les Sables d'Olonne
There are Zoos at Les Sables d'Olonne and La Rochelle, as well as an Aquarium at La Rochelle

Marais Poitevin/La Venise Verte

Marais Poitevin/La Venise Verte
Miles and miles of small canals, puctuated by picturesque villages. Take a ride on a traditional flat bottomed boat or hire a punt or canoe. The area is a vast drained areas of dykes and canals that make it great for walking, cycling, and canoeing

Historic Monuments

Nieul sur l'Autise itself has an Abbey, sometime called Eleanor's Abbey as Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine was born in Nieul sur l'Autise in 1122, with another at Maillezais, and the Chateau at Terre Neuve in the historic town of Fontenay le Comte is well worth a visit

Towns

The pretty port of La Rochelle (45 mins), historical Fontenay le Comte (20 mins), the Roman Cathedral at Lucon (20 mins), the Forest at Mervent (20 mins), historic Vouvant (30 mins), La Venise Verte (Marais Poitevin, 20 mins), and Nantes (1 hour)

Regional Produce

The department's wine–growers can be found on the hillsides of Southern Vendée and in the foothills of the Bocage Vendéen. The stand–out local wines are the Fiefs Vendéens, Tastings and sale of AOC wines Vendée fiefs at Vix and Pissotte