Strictly speaking, La Rochelle is in the Poitou Charente region, but is within easy reach of south Vendée. Start in the picturesque Vieux Port with the 14th century Tour de Saint-Nicolas and Tour de la Chaine. A visit of the 37m high Tour Saint-Nicolas is recommended, decked out like a house with different rooms, and where mini-Rapunzel’s will be in rapture at the vistas at the top of the tower (after 120-odd steps of climbing!).

For fun and the shortest way across the port, take the Yélo electric solar-powered sea bus to les Minimes and the very impressive Aquarium of La Rochelle, with 12,000 marine animals and 600 different species. Prepare to be mesmerised by displays of elegantly dancing sea horses, phosphorescent jellyfish and Nemo like clown fish, and thrilled by the huge shark aquarium the height of the total building. Just behind the Aquarium, admire the expensive yachts in the marina, and visit the Musée Maritime aboard the France 1, a famous weather frigate, and explore areas from the engine room to the commander’s bridge. For shopping, you will be spoiled for choice from the market at the harbour to the old town with its cobbled streets and plenty of quirky shops for browsing.

Facing towards the Ile de Ré, is the pretty small town of La Tranche sur Mer, sometimes called “little California” because of its extensive sunshine and favourable microclimate. Alongside the typical white painted houses and narrow streets are 13km of fine sandy blue flagged beaches. Our favourite is la Terriere beach, perfect for watersports. With 3 surf schools, you’ll be spoiled for choice, but all our children learned to surf at Koa Surf School with Olivier and his team.

A short drive from La Tranche, are 2 fantastic parks. First up, O’Gliss Park, the biggest waterpark in France, with beach areas, sedate lazy as well as crazy rivers, thrill seeker vertical slide drops, and virtual reality white water rafting – something to please everyone. Just down the road, partner O’Fun Park is a forest adventure park with a lovely mix of activities including zip lines, paintball, a fun zone with inflatables, water jumps, pony rides… the list goes on! Also accessible nearby is the Marais Poitevin “Green Venice” area where leisurely canal boat trips, bird watching, cycling and fishing are all possible.

Les Sables d’Olonne is a leading seaside resort most famous for the Vendée Globe solo round the world yacht race and has a bustling promenade with a lovely 3km long sandy beach at the heart of the town. Just back from the seafront, check out the charming “Ile de la Penotte” area, where beautiful frescoes with intricate detail made only from seashells adorn the houses. Nearby, find rue de l’Enfer, a street that once held the world record for the narrowest street (40cm at its widest point). Head on towards the lovely pedestrian shopping streets bordered by the Notre Dame de Bon Port church and the covered food market of Halles Central dating from 1890.

Close to Les Sables is Talmont Saint Hilaire, once bordering the sea as a port town, but now inland as the estuary of the Payre river silted up. The town is dominated by the ruins of the medieval Chateau Talmont dating back to the 11th century, where the walls reveal stones well rounded by the sea’s action in days’ past. Time a chateau visit for one of the themed events such as the falconry display or the colourful “Richard of Lionheart” night shows.

No trip to the Vendée is complete without a trip to the spectacular historical theme park of Puy du Fou, where you will need at least a day to take it all in (but could easily stretch to 2!). The park is split into up to 26 shows, most outdoors, each running for c. 30–40 minutes. And what an experience it is - a history trip back in time with animals and live actors and lots of special effects! Our must-not-miss shows include: the Vikings, the Dance of the Phantom Birds, Richelieu’s Musketeer and the most spectacular gladiators and chariots in the Roman amphitheatre in the Sign of Triumph - visit to discover your own family favourites!

After Puy du Fou, head to Nantes, where a visit to the Les Machine’s de l’Ile on the “isle” of Nantes bordered by the Loire river is a must. Situated in the old industrial buildings of the former shipyards, the Machines are an ambitious artistic project designed to be a blend of the invented worlds of Jules Verne and the mechanical universe of Leonardo da Vinci. You can visit the Gallery of the Machines, but best of all for us is a ride (c. 30 mins) in the 12m high Grand Elephant, especially when the driver turns the trunk inward and sprays water on the occupants! The project is constantly evolving – the perfect excuse for a return visit to see what wonderful things are next! All in all, its symbolic of the whole area for us – full of ever evolving nature, action, culture and interesting sights, all ready to be enjoyed with a healthy dose of sunshine!