Camping Le Jaunay

Split your time between two popular seaside resorts on a stay here: Saint Gilles Croix de Vie and Bretignolles-sur-Mer (both 10 minutes’ drive). Head to the former for wanders down by the port and through the town, stopping at upscale restaurants and coffee shops with excellent views. The latter place has a bunch of beaches for sailing, sandcastle-building and sunbathing, including Normandelière (15 minutes), known for its watersports organisers. Stroll into the centre of town to browse the street markets (word to the wise: they switch from Sundays and Thursdays to Mondays and Tuesdays in July and August). To amp up the pace after ambling around pretty places, whizz over to Atlantic Toboggan SARL waterpark (20 minutes) to splash down twisting chutes and steep kamikaze slides into a massive lake. There are also kids’ pools, whirlpools and waterfalls here for calmer aquatic times. Often on the hunt for animals during a hol? See around 40 threatened species, from monkeys and anteaters to penguins and lions, at Parc Zoologique des Sables d'Olonnes (35 minutes). Alternatively, travel a touch further for one of France's most spectacular theme parks, the history-themed Puy du Fou (an hour and 10 minutes).