Travel Blog

The coastline of France’s Vendée, known as the “Côte de Lumière”, stretches some 250 km and includes 140 km of sparkling sandy beaches. South of Nantes, north of Bourdeaux, Vendée boasts every imaginable landscape: hills and dunes, forests and meadows, rivers, marshes, vineyards, and canals. And, of course, that endless expanse of pristine beaches!

From town to country, chateau to bed and breakfasts, there is a lot of luxury to soak up in Vendée. Focusing (mainly) on Vendée du Sud (the southern part of the region), here’s a quick guide: must-see experiences, special dining spots, and unique accommodation options.

Les Jardins de William Christie

William Christie is renowned throughout France and America as a highly respected baroque music scholar and conductor. His Les Arts Florissant ensembles give over 100 concerts annually in the world’s most prestigious concert halls.

While nurturing Les Arts Florissant, William Christie also accomplished another of his dreams, explaining: “…to creating a unique and original garden around my 17th-century manor house, which is now the setting each year for the festival Dan les Jardines de William Christie, where we welcome music lover from all over the world.”  Every 15 minutes, five bells, which symbolize Christie’s best friends, ring. They welcome visitors to the formal courtyard as if to say, “Come in. This is just the beginning of your visit to an enchanted garden.”   To visit William Christie’s gardens is a sublime experience for any traveler living out their manor house dream. Located in Thiré, the gardens are French traditional but have unique and unexpected plants and eclectic landscapes. From Alice In Wonderland’s undulating hedges to classic French allées, French American Christie has curated a delightful secret garden that is a must-see in the Vendée du Sud. Mourat vineyards

Wine tasters, from amateurs to professionals, will enjoy the Vendean vineyards! In Mareuil sur Lay Dissais visit the Mourat vineyards. Enjoy a guided tour of the cellars or consider making a day of it with a bike tour and picnic, accompanied by Mourat wines, of course! The setting for this romantic déjeuner is a mill situated amongst the vineyards. Mourat is also known for its afternoon-guided tastings of several of its vintages. Be sure to book in advance. The Vrignaud DistilleryThe Vrignaud distillery is a brand shoot-off from the Mourat family. Several projects are in swing from these historic spirits producer.

Along with tours and tastings experiences, expect hotel accommodation in what was once the estates’ stables and workrooms to open in 2025. Sit by the pool with a Negroni made from Vrignaud red vermouth this summer.