WHAT TO DO IN THE SAINT-JEAN-DE-MONTS FOREST IN VENDÉE

The state forest was planted at the end of the 19th century during the reign of Napoleon III to contain the dunes threatening the marshes. Stretching 25 km along the ocean from Fromentine – La Barre-de-Monts to Sion-sur-l’Océan, it covers 2,280 hectares across the northern Vendée coastal dunes. In Saint-Jean-de-Monts, it accounts for 720 hectares, or about 11% of the resort’s total area. It is predominantly home to maritime pines and holm oaks, as well as Corsican pine, stone pine, Monterey cypress, strawberry tree, hawthorn, black locust, and more.

To extend your encounter with nature, be sure to take a detour to Biotopia in Notre-Dame-de-Monts. The former Maison de la Dune et de la Forêt offers a fun, interactive, and unique exhibition in Vendée to help you better understand the coastal and forest environments, from the visible to the invisible!

On the agenda: exhibition, 3D attractions, as well as a 40-hectare outdoor area featuring guided tours, nature outings for children, and walks to the heronry, home to grey herons and little egrets.

Nearby, you can also visit the Parée Farfadet Arboretum. You will learn everything about the trees and shrubs that adorn and shape the Pays-de-Monts forest. Here too, numerous activities are offered to discover nature, fauna, and flora in a whole new way!

As soon as the sunny days arrive, the Saint-Jean-de-Monts forest becomes a delight for camper-hikers, nature lovers, sports enthusiasts, and curious visitors alike. You will find a wealth of wooded and shaded walking trails, cycle paths, and horse-riding trails. No fewer than 60 km of paths are waiting for you!

To recharge your batteries, you can stop for a picnic at numerous spots set up for this purpose. The ideal spot? The Buzelière viewpoint, accessible via “Le sentier de la Vigie” starting from Explora Parc.

Another feature to discover: the “Coquillage et Pomme de Pin” loop (19 km), which begins at the Odysséa Convention Centre in Saint-Jean-de-Monts and heads towards the famous pier and the belvedere, offering a unique view of the ocean and the Saint-Jean-de-Monts golf course.

Finally, thrill-seekers will love climbing high and enjoying a great time close to nature at Explora Parc, a tree-top adventure and leisure park nestled in the heart of the Saint-Jean-de-Monts forest (6 km from the campsite). Just one kilometre further, in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, the Feeling Forest leisure park invites the whole family to swing into the treetops.