Property Viewing Itinerary: 3 Days in the Vendée
- A New Life
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
Target audience: UK/US buyers or other expats looking for property in Vendée
Focus: Coast, countryside (bocage), and town settings
🏡 DAY 1: THE ATLANTIC COAST – BEACHES & RESORTS
Goal: View coastal properties, explore beach towns, assess tourism potential if buying to let.
Base: Les Sables-d’Olonne
Morning: Meet local agent in Les Sables-d’Olonne.
Briefing on local market trends (apartments, holiday rentals, villas).
View 2–3 properties: seafront apartments, townhouses, or new-build developments.
Walk the promenade and port and get a sense of rental potential and amenities.
Lunch: Enjoy fresh seafood at a harbourside brasserie
Afternoon: Drive north to Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (~35 mins).
Visit estate agent for portfolio of fisherman’s houses, holiday homes, modern villas.
View 2–3 properties in town and near the dunes.
Optional stop at Brétignolles-sur-Mer
Check quieter coastal villages if you want more tranquility
Evening: Return to Les Sables-d’Olonne for the night and enjoy dinner on the seafront, time to review listings and notes.
🏡 DAY 2: INLAND BOCAGE – TRADITIONAL VENDÉE FARMHOUSES & VILLAGE HOMES
Goal: Discover the classic rural Vendée property market with its stone farmhouses and rolling countryside
Base: La Roche-sur-Yon or nearby village B&B
Morning: Start in La Roche-sur-Yon.
Meet agent specialising in bocage properties.
View 2–3 rural houses in nearby villages (Mouilleron-le-Captif, Dompierre-sur-Yon, La Ferrière).
Discussion about renovation potential, land size, outbuildings.
Lunch: Countryside auberge with local dishes (try jambon de Vendée, mogettes, brioche).
Afternoon: Head west toward Chantonnay, Pouzauges, Les Herbiers and view 2–3 properties in the classic hedgerow landscape.
Expect to see Converted longères (traditional stone farmhouses), Small châteaux or manoirs and Barn conversions.
Optional stop at Puy du Fou (short visit or photo stop), understand local tourism impact if buying B&B / gîte.
Evening: Stay overnight in La Roche-sur-Yon or a charming rural B&B. Time to review brochures and agent notes!
🏡 DAY 3: SOUTHERN VENDEE – HISTORIC TOWNS, MARSHES & ÎLE D’YEU OPTION
Goal: Mix of heritage towns, marais villages, and optional island viewing
Base: Fontenay-le-Comte or Luçon
Morning: Start in Fontenay-le-Comte and meet agent focused on Renaissance townhouses, historic buildings. View 2–3 properties in town centre.
Coffee break on the Place Belliard to soak in local life.
Midday: Drive toward the Marais Poitevin (Vix, Maillezais, Damvix) and view traditional houses with gardens backing onto canals; ideal for gîte or retreat.
Enjoy lunch along the waterways – “Green Venice” feel.
Afternoon: Option 1: Continue exploring Luçon and view townhouse, suburban properties. Meet agent specialising in value-for-money homes.
Option 2: Take ferry to Île d’Yeu (if you plan it in advance). Day-trip viewing with agent of island cottages or renovated fisherman’s houses. Note: Requires early start and careful ferry planning.
Evening:
Return to mainland or stay on island overnight. Enjoy a final dinner reviewing favourites with notes and agent contacts.
Tips for Making It Work
Pre-arrange viewing appointments with local agents (French agencies often close for lunch)
Schedule time for notaire consultation if you want legal questions answered
Plan realistic travel times—Vendée roads are good but rural distances add up
Take photos and notes of each property to compare later
Ask agents about rental yield potential if investing for holiday lets
📌 Summary
Day 1: Explore coastal markets – Les Sables-d’Olonne, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Day 2: Inland villages and farmhouses – La Roche-sur-Yon, Chantonnay, Les Herbiers
Day 3: Historic towns, marshland homes, optional Île d’Yeu