Choose the Vendee Charente region for your holidays in France

Spend your holiday in a luxury villa in France - head west for sun, surf and slow living!

Why choose the coast and the countryside? Our luxury villa rentals in the west of France offer you the best of both worlds for your holiday! ChicVillas has an extensive portfolio of beautiful, upmarket holiday villas in the Vendée, with top-of-the-range facilities including a private heated swimming pool and plenty of outdoor space. Perfect for a family holiday in the heart of France. You can retreat to a cosy, charming house, or party in a stunning chateau - whatever your idea of the perfect getaway, we've got you covered.

Why rent a villa in the Vendée?

The west coast, and particularly the Vendée, is one of France's best-kept secrets! Far from the hustle and bustle of Paris or the Côte d'Azur, the Vendée and Charentes are a treasure trove of picturesque landscapes and coastlines that will delight surfers and slow travellers alike. Spend your holidays by the sea, rent a villa with a private heated pool for a week, or go the extra mile and rent a château with its own private garden for a special occasion! Life here is slow and spacious - say hello to good food, good wine, and plenty of time to enjoy it.

What are the best places to visit in the Vendée and Charentes?

Located just below Brittany on the west coast of France, the Vendée is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. Here you'll find long sandy beaches, clear waters and superb waves. Less glitzy than the Mediterranean and less rugged than Brittany, it offers the perfect balance of wild nature and sunny climate. Rent a luxury villa with top-of-the-range facilities and all you have to do is choose between lounging by the pool and discovering the local sights.

Sandy beaches, clear waters, and big waves

You can choose between welcoming seaside towns and a rural retreat. The most popular seaside resorts in the Vendée are Saint-Jean-de-Monts, Saint-Hilaire, Les Sables d'Olonne and La Tranche sur Mer. A signposted path runs along the coast, taking in the salt marshes, sand dunes and oyster huts. When the time is right, you can watch the start or return of the Vendée Globe in Les Sables d'Olonne; the atmosphere is breathtaking! Continue down the coast and you will arrive in the Charente region. Visit the capital, La Rochelle, a vibrant port with iconic towers, before discovering the endless stretches of sand at Fouras beach. For an exceptional holiday, rent a villa with a heated swimming pool that can accommodate several people. Spacious grounds, plenty of bedrooms and top-of-the-range facilities guarantee comfort, space and luxurious relaxation. The perfect luxury property for a holiday with family or friends.

Unlike the Mediterranean Sea in the south of France, the west is better for waves. Surfing is popular all year round, and as much fun to watch as it is to do. Many surf spots are on islands, while others, such as Bud Bud and La Côte Sauvage, are on the mainland. A holiday home near the beach is a great place to start, giving you the choice of staying at home and swimming or conquering the waves.

Cycling, walking and swimming on an island

The west coast of France is dotted with beautiful islands with surf spots, seafood and picturesque sites. From the south-west of Nantes, you can take the Noirmoutier bridge from the mainland to the island of the same name. This is a good-sized island for cycling or walking, with a length of 20 km. Admire the sand dunes and salt marshes before stopping to cool off by the sea. Don't leave without sampling the fleur de sel, locally harvested salt in its purest form.

Further along the coast, head for the Ile de Ré from La Rochelle. Hire a bike and tour the island's ten villages. Visit the fort and ramparts, enjoy the 360° view from the top of the Baleines lighthouse and admire the migratory birds in the marshes nature reserve. The island of Oléron is the largest island on the Atlantic coast. Drive over the bridge or take a boat. With its endless beaches of fine sand and turquoise waters, you're in for a real treat. You can even book a few nights in a hotel or holiday rental on the Ile d'Oléron.

And for something to eat on the go, there's nothing easier than delicious, nutritious oysters. Stop off at an oyster shack by the sea to feast on freshly harvested seafood. Simple and healthy, but so decadent! Add some fresh bread and a crisp white wine for the full effect.

Renting a character house or luxury villa in the Vendée will give you the chance to discover these islands, combining sporting activities with natural and cultural discoveries!

A summer festival to dance the night away

The seaside resorts along the coast attract French and international visitors throughout the summer, and there's always something going on. On summer evenings, pop, rock and local music groups perform in various towns. Don't miss the Estivales de Caractère, a series of concerts held in picturesque villages. The Vendée has more than its fair share of Petites Cités de Caractère, the name given to pretty villages that are well worth a visit. Apremont, Faymoreau, Mouchamps, Noirmoutier-en-l'Ile, Pouzauges, Rives d'Autise and Vouvant.

Take a break in the French countryside

There's no shortage of attractions inland either. The Marais Poitevin nature park is criss-crossed by marshes and canals lined with branches. Nicknamed the Green Venice, it can be explored by boat, on foot or by bike. It's a paradise for nature lovers. Book your holiday in a villa with panoramic views and an abundance of greenery to discover rural life in all its splendour. There's nowhere to go and nowhere to be. Switch off your phone and take off your watch as soon as you arrive to enjoy days of sun and appetite.

Enjoy quality food and wine: local, healthy and delicious

Food and wine are important in France and can be as simple or sophisticated as you like. Start the day the French way with a freshly brewed coffee on your private garden terrace, then spend the morning at a farmers' market. Pick up fresh local produce to enjoy at an al fresco lunch or treat yourself to an unforgettable dinner in a Michelin-starred restaurant. Either way, you'll find foie gras, walnuts, porcini mushrooms and tasty cheeses on the menu, to be paired with a rich red Bordeaux, a sweet white Monbazillac or a dry Entre-Deux-Mers, as appropriate.

Family days out in the Vendée and Charentes

Treat the whole family during your holiday in France with these ideas for outings!

Spending your holiday in a rental property with a private heated pool in the Vendée is an excellent way to conquer the medieval world offered by the exceptional Puy du Fou theme park, voted the best show in the world. You'll discover breathtaking shows and spectacular special effects, worthy of a global blockbuster.

Indian Forest is a tree adventure park with a series of trails, outdoor laser games and pony rides.

O'Gliss is a life-size water park with slides, tubes, pools and inflatables galore. Splashes and smiles guaranteed!

Organize an exceptional holiday in the Vendée in one of our luxury rentals with top-of-the-range facilities

Would you like to relax in the sun, on the beach, in your private pool or on the terrace of your charming house? ChicVillas is here to meet your needs!

Renting luxury villas, châteaux and houses of character has been our business for many years. We offer different categories of villa rental: family villa, charming villa or luxury villa, each with a large sleeping area with several bedrooms, numerous rooms and living areas and all the comforts you need for a perfect holiday in the heart of the Vendée and its tranquillity. 

The Vendée is renowned for its diversity of landscapes, with its many fine sandy beaches, Poitevin marshes and rural landscapes, this region perfectly combines what you would expect from a holiday destination par excellence! Whether you're looking to relax in the garden with swimming pool in your luxury rental or in contact with nature, stroll along the waterways and marshes, enjoy the many outdoor activities with your family or party with friends, the Vendée has something for everyone!  Whatever your interests, that's why ChicVillas offers its customers carefully personalised assistance in choosing their rental to help them organise their exceptional holiday!

Welcome to your villa rental with private heated pool in the Vendée!