The Vendée is brimming with things to do, even in the rain. Museums, escape rooms, indoor swimming pools and local restaurants: grey days quickly turn into good times. From Saint-Jean-de-Monts to Les Sables-d’Olonne, there’s no shortage of indoor activities for the whole family. Holidaymakers will find plenty to keep them occupied whatever the weather.
Here are our top 7 activities to do when it rains in the Vendée, during your stay at our 5-star campsite in the Vendée.
Key takeaways
- The Vendée offers a wide range of indoor activities for rainy days, from museums to leisure centres.
- The Historial de la Vendée and Le Daviaud are among the must-see cultural attractions on overcast days.
- Escape games and multi-activity centres are sure to delight families and groups of friends alike.
- Indoor swimming pools and wellness centres allow you to enjoy the water even when the skies are grey.
- Vendée cuisine can be savoured in the covered markets and coastal restaurants.
Visit the Historial de la Vendée in Les Lucs-sur-Boulogne
The Historial de la Vendée is one of the best things to do in the Vendée when it rains. This museum traces 7,000 years of local history across more than 3,100 m² of exhibition space. You’ll discover over 3,000 artefacts, 85 audiovisual stations and 7 immersive shows. The exhibition appeals to adults and children alike. Indeed, there is a space specially designed for younger visitors. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
It’s the perfect outing to turn a rainy day into a day of discovery.
- 48 kilometres from Saint-Jean-de-Monts
Immerse yourself in the Daviaud in the Marais Breton Vendéen
If you’re looking for things to do on a rainy day in the Vendée, Le Daviaud is well worth a visit. This eco-museum, located in La Barre-de-Monts, immerses you in the heart of the Vendée Breton Marshes.
The tour comprises seven areas dedicated to the history of this land reclaimed from the sea. You’ll discover the skills of the local market gardeners, the local wildlife and the traditional architecture of the marshes. Family workshops round off the visit: butter-making, basket-weaving or an introduction to local dance. The site is just 15 minutes from Saint-Jean-de-Monts. It’s therefore an easy outing to organise when the skies turn grey.
Tip from the Places Dorées team: Le Daviaud is just 12 minutes from the campsite. Our guests love to spend a rainy afternoon there. Children particularly enjoy the tour, especially the butter-making workshops. Remember to book in advance during school holidays, as slots often fill up quickly. Allow around 2 hours for the visit.
- 13 kilometres from Saint-Jean-de-Monts
Let off steam at an indoor leisure centre
A rainy day in the Vendée can still be full of thrills. The Playbox leisure complex, located in Mouilleron-le-Captif near La Roche-sur-Yon, offers over 3,000 m² of activities. With a trampoline park, climbing, laser tag and a play area, there’s something for all ages. Younger children can enjoy a dedicated area with slides and obstacle courses. Teenagers and adults prefer the climbing challenges or dodgeball matches. An on-site bar-restaurant allows you to recharge your batteries between sessions.
Other centres such as Up2play in Les Sables-d’Olonne round out the offering with bowling, indoor surfing and virtual reality.
- 63 kilometres from Saint-Jean-de-Monts
Dive into the depths of the Vendée Aquarium
The Vendée Aquarium is located in Talmont-Saint-Hilaire. It’s an ideal outing if you’re wondering what to do in the Vendée with the family on a rainy day. You’ll be able to see over 5,000 animals spread across some sixty tanks. The exhibition is divided into three zones: the European coasts, the Indo-Pacific region and the tropics. Sharks, seahorses and colourful fish swim past before your eyes. A special tour has been designed for children, complete with a mascot and an activity book.
Allow around two hours to enjoy it fully. The site is open all year round, including in the off-season.
- 58 kilometres from Saint-Jean-de-Monts
Try an escape game with family or friends
Escape games are a must-do activity in the Vendée on rainy days. In Saint-Jean-de-Monts, L'Échappée offers five original scenarios, updated every year. Teams of two to six players have 60 minutes to solve the puzzles and escape. The scenarios are suitable for ages nine and up, making them a perfect family outing. The venue is located by the sea, on the Esplanade. There are other escape games in the department, notably in Les Sables-d’Olonne and La Roche-sur-Yon.
This activity stimulates the mind and strengthens the bond between participants.
- 5 kilometres from our campsite
Enjoy the indoor pool area and a moment of relaxation
Is it raining outside? It’s the perfect time to enjoy our indoor pool in the Vendée. Our campsite features a water park covering over 2,000 m². On offer: a heated indoor pool at 28°C, hot tubs and 10-metre slides. The water play area is sure to delight the little ones! The sauna and steam room, with free access, round off this wellness experience.
Discover the covered market in Saint-Jean-de-Monts
When the rain rolls in, why not take the opportunity to discover Vendée's culinary specialties? The department boasts a rich and varied gourmet heritage. Here are a few must-try delicacies:
Préfou is a small baguette stuffed with garlic and butter, perfect for an aperitif. Braided Vendée brioche goes wonderfully with breakfast as well as a seafood platter. Mogettes, the region's typical white beans, can be enjoyed in soups, salads, or as a side dish. Noirmoutier or Bouin oysters can be savored in coastal restaurants. The Saint-Jean-de-Monts covered market is an excellent place to taste these local products. Open several mornings a week, it brings together the region's producers.
Wondering what to do in Vendée when it rains during your holidays? A stay at the Les Places Dorées campsite in Saint-Jean-de-Monts puts you just a stone's throw away from all these activities. With an indoor water park, a wellness area, and L'Abri Gourmand restaurant, our eco-friendly campsite in Vendée has thought of everything!