It’s the start of the summer vacation cross-country, and this Sunday, the traffic conditions are better than yesterday, since Bison Futé sees green in the direction of departures and returns. For the summer holidays, the Vendée remains one of the favorite departments of the French. According to the PAP Vacances site, the Vendée beaches are also in the top 5 of the destinations chosen for July-August.
– PAP Vacation
To change from the often crowded coastline of the Côte d’Azur, what better than the Atlantic Ocean. Many are the holidaymakers who, this Saturday morning, tread the fine sand beach of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, in the north-west of the Vendée. For some, this is a first.
I did not have a very good image of the Vendée before coming, but the climate is ultimately very pleasant
“I am pleasantly surprised, says Djamila, who lives in Val-d’Oise, in the Paris region. Arriving this Friday with her family for a week in Saint-Gilles, she had never been to Vendée. “For me, the Vendée is cold. I didn’t necessarily have a good image of it. But now that I’m there, I find that the climate is ultimately very pleasant.” With his 18-year-old son Nadim, they usually go to Algeria or the south of France. “We were looking for a place that changes the usual, explains Nadim behind his sunglasses. The sea is a good choice, especially this year, because the heat in the south can sometimes be stifling.”
Need ocean and wide open spaces
A good choice also for Sarah, a 46-year-old nurse. This Grenoble resident is used to Vendée beaches but did not know that of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. “I wanted the ocean and wide open spaces, she explains. I came here because friends told me it was very pretty, and they’re right! On top of that, we’re not on top of each other, there’s room, it’s really nice and relaxing.”
So restful that among those who tested last year, some came back this year, like Patrick and Arlette, from Reims. “We are well received here”, says Patrick. “I was at the market this morning, and I found the people very friendly. There are magnificent beaches, very large, and swimming is really a pleasure. With my wife Arlette, we will surely come back next year , and we will take the opportunity to visit another region.”
Patrick and Arlette have not yet made their choice, but already know that this new destination will be by the sea. According to a recent Ipsos poll, 65% of French people say they prefer the coast for their summer holidays.