Camping Le Domaine des Forges - Avrillé

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Finding a top quality year round park in the Vendée has been at the top of our list of priorities for some time now, so we are delighted to have signed an agreement with Domaine des Forges, a site situated just outside the small Vendée town of Avrillé.

The site has recently been bought by Thierry and Cathy Pacteau who are transforming the site into a superb residential park with pitches that average over 200 sq. mts. All pitches will be equipped with broadband internet access and satellite television points. The peaceful pitches are grouped around a 16th century manor house and outbuildings which house the reception, bar and take away. There's a heated outdoor pool as well as a tennis court and crazy golf course plus the bonus of a 2 hectare fishing lake. the park is situated just a 5 minute walk away from the village centre and the beautiful Vendée pitches are just 8kms away.

Choose from the following holiday home ranges:

IRM Holiday Homes

Willerby Holiday Homes

In the case of Willerby homes the siteowner will need to approve the model before a sale may be confirmed.

eating and drinking

Bar, take away and pizzeria

Shopping

There is no shop on site as the local village is just a 500m walk away.

Swimming

A heated outdoor pool and children's pool

Activities

Tennis courts
Basketball
Table Tennis
Minigolf
Boules court
Games room with pool table
Play areas

Other services

Launderette
2 hectare fishing lake
Linen hire

The Vendéen coastline is an invigorating region of broad, sandy beaches, Atlantic rollers (perfect for surfers) and panoramic vistas. Seaside resorts such as Les Sables d'Olonne, Longeville and Jard all offer traditional sun and fun activities, elegant dining and soft sands, not to mention some wonderful gift shops and stylish boutiques. It's a unique region, and its sights aren't always run-of-the-mill.

Take for example the amazing ‘Le Puy du Fou’ theme park where the gladiators fight on in the Roman amphitheatre and history is re-enacted under the biggest light show in France. For a salty, seaward adventure, head to the Vendée's scatter of offshore islands – car free and totally blissful, you can relax to a soundtrack of seabirds, surf or just silence. The low-lying island of Noirmoutier is typical of the region itself - low-key, unspoiled and bathed in tranquillity.

The canals which criss-cross the marshlands are a paradise for birds and bird lovers, while the main towns of La Roche-sur-Yon, Fontenay-le-Comte and Challans offer plenty of diversions for a day's sightseeing and shopping. All are ideal stopovers for a hearty lunch, or reviving morning coffee before your drive back to the park past fields of towering sunflowers, reminding you that you really are in the heart of France.

From the Southern Vendée it's an easy drive to the historic port of la Rochelle where you can enjoy fabulous sea food lunches overlooking the many boats moored there. Cross the toll bridge from La Rochelle and you find yourself on the beautiful Ile de Ré . This unspoilt island with its sandy beaches and oyster beds is a delight to visit at any time of year.

Activities

Shopping

Nearest town/village: 500m
Nearest bank: 5kms (Moutiers les Mauxfaits)
Nearest pharmacy: 500m
Nearest supermarket: 500m
Nearest Post office: 500m

Towns to visit

La Rochelle: 65km
Nantes: 106km
Les Sables d’Olonne: 22km
Ile de Ré: 84km
Lucon: 26km
Green Venice: 73km
Poitiers: 193km

Attractions

Zoo des Sables d'Olonne

Only a short distance from the enormous Atlantic beaches, the zoo at Les Sables d'Olonne is the home to hundreds of animals living in a luxurious setting. Animals include penguins, monkeys, otters, lions, tigers and pandas.

Musée d'Automobile

Vintage car museum at Talmont St. Hilaire

Chaâteau de Talmont

Located on a rock, surrounded by water, the fortress of Talmont played an important part in the defence of Poitou against the invading Normans. Years later, several kings of France were made welcome along with Richard the Lion Heart during the crusade years. Nowadays you can attend medieval demonstrations during the festival period.

Aquarium La Rochelle

Large aquarium with fish from around the world. An array of different viewing methods from tanks and torch pools to panoramic tunnels.

Le Grand Parc du Puy de Fou

A reconstruction of an 18th century village with villagers in costume. The ruins of a 13th century chateau where you can watch a fabulous falconry display or see the Vikings at war. You can spend hours wandering the grounds and gardens. The evening show is an incredible open-air night show with 850 people and 50 horsemen.

Haras National de la Roche sur Yon

Built in 1843 in the heart of the city, Le Haras extends over 5 acres. With 65 horses ranging from thoroughbreds through to trotting ponies, all aspects of horsecraft are on show

Le Mémorial de Vendée

This war memorial is set in peaceful and beautiful gardens and celebrates the lives of the men lost in the world wars.

Local Events

If you like music it's worth visiting the world music Festival at Vivonne (147kms), where musicians from around the world take part in this annual festival of world folk music. This takes place in May each year.. Also the jazzellerault Festival at Chatellerault, from 20th to 29th May, or the free jazz and blues concerts of the Rendez-vous de L'Erdre in Nantes, 26th to 28th Aug.

Mogettes or lingots (haricot beans) are a speciality of the region and are traditionally served on lightly grilled bread with cured ham. Locally produced poultry: chicken and duck as well as guinea-fowl and quail also all feature on menus in the Vendée. Cheese in the area is normally goat’s cheese and for the sweet-toothed there is quite a choice of desserts. The Vendée is known for its light fluffy loaves of brioche (a sweet bread with a dash of rum or orange flavoured water), flan maraichin (pastry case with egg custard) and tourteau au fromage (a black domed cheesecake made from goat’s cheese). The best Vendéen wine comes from the area around Mareuil-sur-Lay, with red, white and rosé all available.

The South Vendée is around 4 hours drive from Caen and 3 hours from St. Malo making self-drive attractive.

Regional airports at Nantes, La Rochelle and Bordeaux also make fly drive an easy option.