Animal parks in Vendée
Among the leisure activities available in the Vendée, animal parks, zoos, educational farms and aquariums hold a special place in the hearts of holidaymakers. Don’t forget your camera!
Planète sauvage
60 km from the campsite and 15 minutes from Nantes, Planète Sauvage is one of France’s largest animal parks. In an exceptional 85-hectare natural setting, set off on an expedition into animal territory, with over 1,100 animals of 120 different species!
Address: La Chevalerie, 44710 Port-Saint-Père, more info at planetesauvage.com
Les Sables-d’Olonne zoo
Les Sables zoo is a zoological park located a stone’s throw from the beaches of Les Sables-d’Olonne, in the Rudelière district. Ecozoo is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is involved in the preservation of certain species. More than 500 exotic animals await you: giraffes, lions, panthers, monkeys, red pandas, meerkats, giant anteaters and bush pigs, the smallest pigs in Africa.
Address: Route du Tour de France, 85100 Les Sables d’Olonne, more info at zoodessables.fr
Natur’Zoo de Mervent
In the south of the Vendée, the Natur’Zoo in Mervent takes you on an exotic family outing to meet over 350 animals in 10 hectares of forest. Discover the lion savannah, the lemur forest, the bird aviary, tigers, wolves and bears. A great family outing!
Address: Le Gros Roc, 85200 Mervent, more info at naturzoomervent.com
The Aquarium de Vendée
In Talmont Saint Hilaire, immerse yourself in a human-sized aquarium, offering a fantastic visit to the heart of marine life. Discover this marvellous spectacle and dream away to your heart’s content in this fabulous space of silence and colour.
More than 5,000 marine animals of 500 species can be discovered in three different worlds: the tropical sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Indo-Pacific. Entertainment all year round (programme available on the website www.aquarium-vendee.com) , free parking, snack bar in season, site accessible to wheelchair users.
La Maison de l’Âne in Beauvoir-sur-Mer
La Maison de l’Âne in Beauvoir-sur-Mer is an educational farm in the heart of the marsh, on the Route du Gois. Children can enjoy donkey rides during the summer and learn how donkey milk is turned into soap. Address: Rue du Gois, 85230 Beauvoir-sur-Mer, www.lamaisondelane.com
The butterfly island
On the island of Noirmoutier, 28 km from the campsite, discover the largest tropical butterfly greenhouse in France. Come and stroll among hundreds of tropical butterflies from the 4 corners of the world, flying freely among the exotic plants and flowers. Address: 5 Rue de la Fassonnière, 85680 La Guérinière, www.ile-aux-papillons.com
photo@A. Lamoureux/Vendée Expansion