Charente Vendee Attractions  This area of France has a rich variety of attractions for the holidaymaker.  Of course the miles of sandy beaches draw the crowds year after year, but there are some delightful towns and villages as well, plus vineyards aplenty with the added benefit of the home of Cognac and the local speciality Pineau. Also you will find splendid theme parks such as le Puy du Fou or Futuroscope, as well as idyllic islands, fascinating geographical features....

Le Puy du Fou  Definitely worth a detour.

Location: Heading south west on the A87 autoroute take exit 28 for Les Herbiers and follow the signposts for the Grand Parc.

General Info: Open daily in 2011 in July and August from 10AM - 10.30PM with Cinéscenie spectaculars held on selected Fridays/Saturdays in June - September.  Then from April - September at various times - see the excellent website  for full details of opening times, discounts, special shows etc..Tel. 33 2 51 64 11 11.
Entry to the Grand Parc costs €27 for adults and €18 for children when tickets are purchased in advance.  Tickets including the evening Cinéscenie spectacular cost €44 for adults and €26 for children (aged 5 - 13 years). These are 2011 prices.

Description: Created in 1978 in the granite hills of the Vendéean Haut Bocage by Philippe de Villiers and now welcoming more than three quarters of a million visitors annually who witness spectacular performances by more than 1000 actors each evening (Cinéscenie).  New in 2010 - the spectacular medieval adventure "The Secret of the Lance".

        - Aquarium at La Rochelle
        - Aqualand theme park
        - Atlantic Toboggan
        - Château des Enigmes
        - Futuroscope
        - Indian Forest
        - Ile de Ré
        - Labyrinthe Vegetal
        - Le Chateau des Aventuriers
        - Le Dune du Pilat
        - Le Marais Poitévin
        - Le Puy du Fou
        - Oceanile
        - Tepacap
        - Vallée des Singes
        - Zoo de la Palmyre

Additional information on the Grand Parc:

Our recommendations:  This outstanding theme park has performances throughout the day of falconry, jousting, magic and music, and boasts atmospheric reconstructions of a Norman fort, a medieval town and an 18th-century village.  On some evenings you can enjoy a splendid Son et Luimère show (Cinéscenie spectacular), regarded as the best sound-and-light show in Europe in which literally 1,000 local actors take part dramatising the history of the Vendee province. Book well in advance, either on the web or at local tourist offices.  Arrival 1 hour in advance is advised.  Try extending your stay to 2 or 3 days and take advantage of the hotels now on-site.
For children: The whole place is made for them, especially if they like horses.  Definitely worth a detour to spend a day or even two here.  We know families who have been several times!  Entry is free for under 5s.

External websites offering information on the Vendee and Charente Maritime:

- Holidays France Atlantic Website
- Le Charente

- Angela Bird's website on the Vendée

     - Top Attractions in Charente / Vendee
     - Top ten Holiday destinations in France