The Vendée is famous for its sunny coastline, from Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie to the Île de Noirmoutier, but a family holiday here can occasionally see some rain. Rather than staying cooped up inside, savvy campers see these showers as the perfect chance to discover the region’s treasures. Stay at Flower Camping Au Bois des Biches, ideally located in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, and turn a grey day in the Vendée into a memorable day of discovery and adventure for the whole family.
Must-do activities for a rainy day in the Vendée
| Activité | Location | Type d’Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Historial de la Vendée | Les Lucs-sur-Boulogne | History museum (7,000 years) |
| Playbox complex | Mouilleron-le-Captif | Indoor multi-activity centre (climbing, Beach Park, laser game…) |
| Vendée Miniature | Bretignolles-sur-Mer | Animated miniature Vendée village (1/10 scale) |
| Escape Game L’Échappée | Saint-Jean-de-Monts | Escape game |
| Château de Talmont | Talmont-Saint-Hilaire | Guided tours, activities, escape game |
Step into the past at the Historial de la Vendée
For a rainy-day outing in the Vendée that combines culture and learning, the Historial de la Vendée is a must. This museum, in Les Lucs-sur-Boulogne, takes you on a 7,000-year journey from prehistory to the present day, with a particular focus on the powerful story of the Vendée wars.
The different interactive trails, such as the tablet trails for 9-11 and 12-15 year olds, keep everyone engaged. If culture and history are your priority for a rainy day in the Vendée, this is a great answer to the question: what is there to do in the Vendée when it rains?
Address: Allée Paul Bazin, 85170 Les Lucs-sur-Boulogne, 41 km from our campsite.
Prices: children and teenagers under 18 get free entry. A special rate of €10 is available for motorhomes (including entry plus electricity/water refill).
Games and adrenaline: the Playbox multi-activity centre
When the rain sets in and the sky clouds over, children’s and teenagers’ energy doesn’t dip. To help them burn it off, the Playbox indoor activity centre in Mouilleron-le-Captif is an ideal choice. The park has plenty to offer:
- the Beach-Park Sand Island: this indoor play area is covered in real sand, so you can play beach volleyball, beach football or beach tennis without worrying about the weather. It’s a clever way of outwitting the rain: if you can’t go to the beach, the beach comes to you!
- a climbing wall with 50 routes
- two squash courts
- two badminton courts
- a laser tag area for action-packed games.
With such a wide range of activities, there’s something for every member of the family. These sporty, fun leisure options are undoubtedly among the best things to do in the Vendée when it rains.
Address: 111 rue Jacques-Yves Cousteau, 85000 Mouilleron-le-Captif (near La Roche-sur-Yon), 49 km from our campsite.
Prices: this leisure park has 4 different worlds, each with its own activities, duration and price.
The Vendée at 1/10 scale: Vendée Miniature
If your family would like something calmer and more educational, a visit to Vendée Miniature in Bretignolles-sur-Mer is a must. It introduces you to rural life in the Vendée at the start of the 20th century, entirely recreated at 1/10 scale.
You wander through a museum that recreates a village from a bygone era, where every detail of daily life, from market scenes to village festivals, is reproduced with astonishing realism. It’s an excellent choice for curious children and adults, who will enjoy watching the animated models and discovering the heritage of the Vendée in an original way.
Address: 50 rue du Prégneau, 85470 Bretignolles-sur-Mer, France, 16 km from our campsite.
Prices (for guidance): admission is €11.50 for adults and €6.50 for children aged 5 to 12. There is also a family pack (two adults and two children) for €32.
Opening hours: please check the museum’s website for up-to-date opening times before your visit.
Test your team spirit: an immersive escape game
There’s nothing like an escape game to turn a grey day into a thrilling team adventure. L’Échappée, in Saint-Jean-de-Monts, is one of the quickest and most engaging rainy-day options from our campsite. An escape game takes concentration, sharp eyes and teamwork, which makes it a perfect rainy-day outing in Vendée for creating family memories to treasure. If you love adventure and a good challenge, you now know exactly what to do in Vendée when it rains!
Address: 34 esplanade de la Mer, 85160 Saint-Jean-de-Monts, 14 km from our campsite in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez.
Prices: this adventure starts at €20 per adult for one hour of play.
Opening hours: this escape game is open 7 days a week, from 09:00 to 20:00.
Visit the Château de Talmont-Saint-Hilaire
Even in the rain, the Château de Talmont-Saint-Hilaire is impressive! Guided tours, available in every season, take you back to the time of Richard the Lionheart. Down in the underground passages, the rain can’t reach you! The site offers medieval games, activities and even an escape game for the more curious. It’s a great choice if you’re wondering what to visit in Vendée when it rains and want to combine history with a little adventure.
Address: 8 rue du Château, 85440 Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, 49 km from our campsite.
Even when it rains, Vendée is still full of life and activity ideas for the whole family. So whether the sky is blue or grey, book your stay at Flower Camping Au Bois des Biches and enjoy a holiday without worrying about the weather.
