Are you looking for ideas to do an activity with your children, are you looking after your grandchildren, the weather is nice, do you want to take advantage of the Indian summer for a weekend with your family or as a couple?
Here is a selection of activities, family outings, visits to the Vendée countryside during the All Saints' Day holidays. And do not forget ! THE Puy du Fou® remains open until Sunday November 5, 2023.
Ideas for outings during the All Saints’ Day holidays in Vendée Bocage
A visit to Puy du Fou® imposes itself
Le Puy du Fou is open until the end of the All Saints' Day school holidays, on Sunday November 5, 2023: it is the opportunity to enjoy the Puy du Fou shows without the crowds, to stroll through the paths of the park, and to spend a pleasant day with family or friends. Take advantage of the beautiful autumn days to stay until the night show “The Fire Wedding"!
- Practical: from October 21 to November 5, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. to 22:30 p.m. (except November 5, closing at 19 p.m.), with the “Fire Wedding” show at night. Information: 02 44 40 20 16
New for 2023 – La Frairie de la Toussaint: 1st major ephemeral show
At nightfall, a huge procession sets off through the alleys and villages. Royal carriages, plumed horses, musicians and dancers... François I and his 300 guests, coming from the six provinces of France, make a spectacular entrance to the biggest party ever given at Puy du Fou !
Be witnesses to this grandiose event and join the courtyard of the Castle to celebrate the most sumptuous weddings of the entire Renaissance! The King of France is the prestigious host of the wedding of Catherine and François du Puy du Fou. A giant banquet is organized around the culinary theaters set up for the occasion.
Outdoor activities to enjoy nature
Tépacap Vendée in Mesnard la Barotière
The adventure course near Puy du Fou has 10 courses tree climbing in the trees: zip lines, monkey bridge, spider and an area for the little ones “the Pitchouns course”. With friends: paintball, laser game, archery, orienteering. Come and test Tépacap Vendee !
- Open from October 21 to October 29, 2023 every afternoon from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
The City of Birds in the Landes Génusson
La City of Birds offers many activities during the All Saints holidays! An escape game is also offered throughout the holidays!
Workshops for the general public, by reservation on 02 51 67 60 60:
– Tuesday October 24, 2023: Let’s prepare for winter for the birds
– Thursday October 26, 2023: Ephemeral jewelry
– Tuesday October 31, 2023: The unloved
– Thursday November 2, 2023: A cozy shelter for robins
- Open from October 23 to November 5, 2023 from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
A ride on an electric scooter in the Vendée bocage
Trotting & Nature offers autumn rides on an electric scooter in the Sainte Florence forest. Weekdays at 18 p.m. from Essarts en Bocage and weekends from Vallée de Poupet in Saint Malô du Bois.
Information on 06 36 18 95 47 or online reservations.
A bike ride with family or friends
Boca'Velo offers electrically assisted bicycles for rental or for a turnkey cycle tourism experience (with a route, meal and activities in addition to bike rental). With electric assistance, even the highest point of the Vendée becomes accessible to everyone!
Information on 06 33 98 69 12 or online reservations.
The “history and heritage” sites of the Vendée bocage
The Castle of Saint-Mesmin
The Château de Saint Mesmin opens its doors during the All Saints school holidays and offers activities around the theme “ funny war, Playmobil® style "!
- Open from October 21 to November 5, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14:30 p.m. to 18:30 p.m..
The Manor of Sciences in Réaumur
Discover the scenography of the Manoir des Sciences de Réaumur. In the mansion, experiment, smell, touch and solve puzzles. In the garden, open the chests and observe nature and its insects.
- Open from October 22 to November 5, 2023, Sunday to Wednesday, 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
The Chateau des Essarts in Essarts-en-Bocage
For the All Saints' Day holidays, the Château des Essarts is open from October 23 to November 5, 2023.
- Open from 14 a.m. to 19 p.m.
- Nocturne on Tuesday October 31, 2023
- Continuous activities: themed games, the Trésor des Guillery, Trampofilet…
The Logis de la Chabotterie in Saint Sulpice le Verdon – Montreverd
Visit an 10th century dwelling through XNUMX historic furnished rooms, a wooded park, wash house, river, woods, a French garden. It is also a high place of the War of Vendée, the site of the arrest of General Charette, a scenographic and multimedia course retraces the conflict.
- Open every day except Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
The Night of the Castles – Château de Sigournais
The Lord of Sigournais welcomes you this evening of Friday October 27 in his castle, by the light of lanterns, to receive your grievances!
Embark on the zany and singing world of Constance the housekeeper, Gontrand the head of the guards, Bertille the mistress of the house and Euphrosine the head cook.
You will discover castle life in Sigournais at the end of the XNUMXth century and its history.
- Friday October 27 at 19 and 21 p.m.
- Reservations on www.nuitdeschateaux.com
What if it rains?
Aquatic centers for a relaxing break
Aquabubbles, the Vendée Vallée aquatic center located in Saint Fulgent. You will find there: a fun slide for fun, 2 covered pools for swimming or splashing around. A relaxation area with sauna, hammam and to complete your wellness session: a hydromassage bed or a cryotherapy session... Open every day.
Other indoor swimming pools and aquatic centers in Chantonnay, Montaigu, Les Herbiers, Pouzauges, Essarts-en-Bocage et Mortagne-sur-Sevre.
Cinemas to watch a good movie…
A moment of escape at the Cabaret!
Vendée Vitrail, the religious heritage can be visited in Mortagne sur Sèvre
Immerse yourself in the history of stained glass in the renovated church of Saint Hilaire de Mortagne. Vendee Stained Glass offers different themed spaces on the art of stained glass: the optical theater presents the history of stained glass since the XNUMXth century, a projection combines light effects and sound immersion: Louis Mazetier's stained glass, play area for children...
- Open until October 29, 2023 (Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) from 14:30 p.m. to 18:30 p.m.
What is the Mange Cailloux Museum?
It is in the old school of Mortagne sur Sèvre where a mineral enthusiast has created a museum dedicated to his passion. the Stone Eater Museum exposes minerals and their use in our daily lives.
Open until November 5, 2023 from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m. (Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays).
The Soap Factory of the Hills
La Soap factory of the Hills is a soap shop (handcrafted from donkey milk) and natural cosmetics, with a discovery trail on the history of soap.
Open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14:30 p.m. to 19 p.m. (closed at 18 p.m. on Saturday).
Family fun
Visit the Vendée bocage in the fall
Visit the Vendée en fallis taking the time to hike on foot or bike, to walk on the paths in the soft colors of autumn, it's time to go out for some fresh air, to do sports, to visit a castle, zoo, to reconnect with the nature !
Colors
Red, yellow, orange… Colors transform landscapes. They take on the color of stones and the sun.
The trails of hikes adorn themselves with the soft light of autumn. Observe the trees with shimmering colors, walk on the dead leaves and listen to their cracking, pick up chestnuts, dead leaves of multiple colors to make a herbarium...
The fauna and the flora
In autumn, during your walks in the Bocage Vendée, the nature will be generous, you will pick up mushrooms (be careful when picking them, remember to find out before cooking them), walnuts and hazelnuts for your desserts, or chestnuts to roast on a hot stove in your fireplace. For your walk in the forest of Grasla in Brouzils or the forest of Maha in Herbiers, access by the Mont des Alouettes, remember to bring a small basket for your harvest, to be well shod and covered.
You may then come across a rabbit, a squirrel, a deer, a hedgehog or even birds...
The five senses awakened in the fall
- A smell ? The damp earth, the coolness of the wind…
- A noise ? The rustle of leaves, the silence of forest trees
- A picture ? The sun that pierces the orange and yellow tops of the tall trees, the path that continues to infinity...
- A taste ? pumpkin soup, hot chestnuts, steaming chocolate…
- A feeling ? a cocooning evening in front of the fireplace… a game with the children while waiting for winter to set in!
Sports in autumn in Vendée Bocage
Browse the paths of Vendée
In the north east of the Vendée department, the territory of Vendée Bocage is recognized for the GR de Pays Sèvre et Maine which runs along the Sèvre Nantaise, but also for its numerous walking trails on the Vendée hills, along the rivers: the Sèvre Nantaise, discovering the Small Cities of Character : Mouchamps, Mallièvre, Mortagne-sur-Sèvre and Pouzauges. On foot or bike, you will find at the bend of a stroll, un mill wind, a wash house, a causeway... which will tell you their story. The Bocage Vendéen also has routes (including the Vendée by bike).
Le road to Santiago de Compostela crosses the territory of Vendée Bocage from Clisson to St Jean d'Angély, it passes through Montaigu, Saint Fulgent, Chantonnay before reaching South Vendée. The Tourist Offices have a list of accommodation for pilgrims on the routes to Santiago de Compostela.
Ideas for walks
Autumn is the season for walks in the woods, morning hikes, mushroom picking… we have selected a few walks in the colors of autumn in the heart of nature.
Walk around the Logis de la Chabotterie
A historic atmosphere for the Chabotterie trail which will take you to the site of General Charette's arrest. To discover on the circuit: The Logis de la Chabotterie and its gardens, the Chêne Chapelle, this hollow tree has housed a chapel since 1911; the Cross of Charette (monument commemorating the arrest of the General in 1796).
5,6 km – 1h15 – family friendly
Picking mushrooms in the forest of Grasla
The edge path runs mainly through forest paths in Grasla.
6,3 km – 1h30 – family friendly
A family walk
In the Pays de Chantonnay, a new 2,5 km path is to be discovered and explored with the family, the Sentier d'Amanée, an emotional path in the forest around the Lac de la Vouraie. Instruments of wood and stone whistle in the sandstone of the autumn wind. The start is between Saint Hilaire le Vouhis and Bournezeau. Passages are steep, think of your sneakers!
Small city of character in autumn colors
Mallièvre and the circuit of Genovette, ancient city of weavers, its gardens clinging to the slopes shaped by the Sèvre Nantaise.
Family circuit 2,7 km – 1h15
Discover the Vendée on horseback
Through itineraries or departing from equestrian centres, Vendée Vallée can be discovered from cheval.
The Vendée seen from the sky
Take to the skies and discover the Vendée bocage landscapes from the sky with Volabulle in Montaigu-Vendée. Guaranteed feeling.
Accommodation in Vendée in the fall
Discover some suggestions for places to sleep in the Vendée bocage around Puy du Fou® or for a romantic weekend
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The Chateau de la Preuille
Located in Saint Hilaire de Loulay – Montaigu Vendée at the gates of Nantes welcomes you for a romantic and romantic weekend in one of the 4 bedrooms at the castle or for a family stay in the gîte in the old press or the family suite. The candlelight dinner is served in the old fitted kitchen.
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CHAMBRE D’HÔTES DURIVUM _ APOLLON
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HÔTEL CHÂTEAU LA RICHERIE
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CHÂTEAU HOTEL RESTAURANT LE BOISNIARD
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HÔTEL-RESTAURANT CHÂTEAU DE LA BARBINIÈRE
Large lodges for family gatherings
The All Saints holidays are also an opportunity to meet up with family or friends in a large gîte:
It's even better if your gite has a fireplace, so you can have a blaze when you return from beautiful walks in the region, and have a good time with your children with board games, hot chocolate, pancakes...
- The lodgings of the Château de la Flocellière: the Donjon, Flag, The Logis of Saint Michael.
- Cottage the Pastourelles, located in Les Epesses 2 steps from Puy du Fou
- Cottage on Bertin Oak in Bournezeau
It's even better if the gite for your family has a indoor heated swimming pool :
