Top 8 favorite things to do in Vendée when it rains
What to do in Vendée when it rains? Even though the region is known for its coastline and natural spaces, unpredictable weather doesn't have to stop you from enjoying your stay. The Vendée offers many indoor activities suitable for families, couples, and groups of friends: aquariums, museums, indoor leisure activities, playgrounds, indoor swimming pools, and wellness centers. Discover our 8 ideas for activities to do when it rains in the Vendée, all close to our campsite in Saint-Jean-de-Monts!
Discover the ocean depths at the Vendée Aquarium
Located in Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, the Vendée Aquarium is an ideal outing when it rains. Visitors can discover more than 5,000 marine animals spread across several worlds, with large aquariums offering panoramic views. Suitable for families, the tour offers educational activities and areas designed for children, making the experience both fun and accessible. Allow about half a day to fully enjoy the site, sheltered from the elements. Good to know before your visit: the children's trail with activity book is particularly popular with 4-10 year olds. It helps to pace the visit and avoid fatigue towards the end, especially on rainy days when the crowds can be larger.
- 55 km from our campsite
Immerse yourself in a tropical greenhouse at Butterfly Island
Located in La Guérinière, on the island of Noirmoutier, Île aux Papillons offers a unique, fully covered tour, ideal when you're looking for things to do in Vendée when it rains. In this large tropical greenhouse, several hundred tropical butterflies fly freely around visitors. The calm and immersive tour allows you to observe the different species up close and better understand their life cycle, thanks to educational panels accessible to children. A visit to Île aux Papillons is often enjoyed at the beginning or middle of the day, especially when it's raining and you're looking for an exotic activity without staying indoors for too long. Things to know before your visit: the high temperature in the greenhouse (around 77°F) creates a marked contrast with the outside, so remember to bring a sweater or T-shirt depending on the season!
- 30 km from our campground
Enjoy our wellness area
The indoor pools and wellness area are a great alternative when you're looking for things to do in Vendée when it rains. Located within our campground, our wellness area allows you to relax and continue enjoying the pleasures of the water, even when it's cloudy. Our area offers a comfortable setting suitable for the whole family, while maintaining a real vacation feel. Our tip: when the weather is rainy, our wellness area is quieter between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. After lunch, it gets much busier, especially with families who adapt their plans to the weather.
- Inside our campsite
Travel back in time at Vendée Miniatures
When wondering what to do in Vendée when it rains, Vendée Miniatures is an ideal cultural alternative. Located in Brétignolles-sur-Mer, this indoor site offers an original immersion into a traditional Vendée village through highly detailed miniature scenes. More than 30 traditional trades and businesses are recreated here, providing a peaceful, fun visit that is accessible to all ages. Fun fact: some of the miniature scenes are inspired by real Vendée businesses and trades that no longer exist today. Visitors from the region sometimes recognize tools, signs, or gestures passed down by their parents or grandparents, transforming the visit into a real moment of exchange between generations.
- 27 km from our campground
Let off steam in an indoor leisure complex
When looking for things to do in Vendée when it rains, indoor leisure complexes are among the most effective solutions, especially for teenagers or groups. Bowling, laser tag, trampolining, arcade games, and virtual reality allow you to burn off energy indoors, while enjoying a variety of activities in one place. Places like Up2Play bring together several activities under one roof, making it easier to organize a rainy day. Our advice: start with a dynamic activity (bowling or trampolining), then finish with a quieter activity such as arcade games or virtual reality. This progression helps to better manage children's energy during long rainy days.
- 83 km from our campsite
Challenge each other to a game of laser tag at 201 Forest Avenue
Located in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, 201 Forest Avenue offers a fully indoor activity, ideal when you're looking for things to do in Vendée when it rains. Laser tag allows teams to compete in a dimly lit space, combining strategy, speed, and teamwork. This activity is particularly popular with teenagers and groups, but is also accessible to families with older children. Our tip: slots between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. are often more available on rainy days, before groups arrive in the late afternoon. For optimal comfort, wear dark clothing so you are less visible during the game.
- 14 km from our campsite
Marvel at a unique collection at the Shell Museum
Located in Les Sables-d'Olonne, the Shell Museum is an ideal place to visit when you're looking for things to do in Vendée when it rains, especially with children. The museum houses a remarkable collection of over 45,000 shells from all over the world, some with surprising shapes and colors. The visit is short, accessible, and perfectly suited to younger visitors, who can discover the richness of the marine world sheltered from the elements. Fun fact: visitors are often given a small shell at the end of the visit, which leaves a lasting impression. Many children leave proud of their “treasure” and continue the experience by observing the shells they find on the beach in the days that follow.
- 45 km from our campsite
Let the kids let off steam at L’Île aux Jeux
Located in Challans, L’Île aux Jeux is a popular choice for families looking for things to do in Vendée when it rains with young children. This indoor leisure park offers nearly 700 m² of games: inflatable structures, trampolines, tricycles, and areas adapted to different ages. Completely sheltered, the venue allows children to play freely while parents enjoy a quieter moment. Our advice: when it rains, arrive as soon as it opens or in the early afternoon to avoid the crowds that come with bad weather.
- 41 km from our campsite
Knowing what to do in the Vendée when it rains allows you to approach your stay with greater peace of mind. Between cultural visits, fun activities, indoor leisure activities, and moments of relaxation, there are many alternatives suitable for all ages. These ideas give you the opportunity to vary your experiences and discover the area in a different way, even when the weather is overcast, during your stay at our campsite with water park in the Vendée. Around Saint-Jean-de-Monts, it is easy to organize your days and turn unpredictable weather into a real vacation.