Guide to Vendée & Property for Sale in Department 85

The Vendée department is situated in the Western Loire, alongside the Bay of Biscay on the Atlantic Coast in western France. It is situated south of Nantes and north of La Rochelle. The Vendée (department number 85) is located just 2 to 5 hours away from various ferry ports, including Cherbourg, Roscoff, Saint-Malo, and Caen. Eurostar, with TGV connections via Lille to Nantes, provides an alternative route all the way to La Roche-sur-Yon, the capital, and onto Les Sables-d’Olonne, the most chic of the seaside resorts. Direct flights to Nantes and La Rochelle are now available from a wide variety of UK airports. The Vendée is a large department with over 540,000 inhabitants and is home to extensive sandy beaches. It has a microclimate, ensuring 2,500 hours of sunshine with summer temperatures in the high 20s and over.

Seaside Retreats and Coastal Resorts

The main seaside resorts are Saint-Jean-de-Monts, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, Les Sables-d’Olonne, and La Tranche-sur-Mer, richly endowed with a wide variety of desirable coastal properties. The golden sands of the beaches and bays, together with the vitality of the ocean, favour relaxation and watersports of all kinds.

Extreme Sports and Thrilling Events

Against an incomparable backdrop of plains, forests, and seascape, the more extreme sports, such as jet skiing, parascending, free-fall, ballooning, hang gliding, and even bungee jumping, are regularly practised. Experience the thrill of the launch of the Vendee Globe, the round-the-world yacht race from the Sables d’Olonne or the Bois de la Chaise Regatta from the island of Noirmoutier, accessed by the unique 4km submerged roadway (le Passage du Gois).

Cycling Paradise

Vendéens are passionate about the Tour de France, and its thrilling route has influenced many delightful coastal and inland purpose-built cycle tracks. These cycle tracks bypass coastal villages full of linen-white cottages and stone hamlets. The Vendée is also a golfer's haven, boasting eighteen European-standard courses of repute. Don’t miss the fragile beauty of the Marais Breton Vendéen, carved and preserved by man and the sea, nor the unique lifestyle of the canal-side villagers in the Marais Poitevin (la Venise Verte), a magical wilderness of tree-lined, duck-weeded waterways.

Historical Treasures of Vendée

The Vendée celebrates its incredible historical heritage in myriad forms, and among those not to be missed is the prehistoric centre Le Cairn at Saint-Hilaire-la-Forêt, showcasing its Neolithic site. The colourful Middle Ages are commemorated by châteaux such as Gilles de Rais at Tiffauges, whilst the symmetry and luxury of the Renaissance impress those who visit Château d’Apremont and many more. Le Parc du Puy du Fou spans the centuries for both old and young, and the Cinescenie, Le Puy du Fou, utilises the greatest sound and light show in Europe to tell the history of the Vendée.

Savoury, Sweet & Wine Traditions

Inland Vendée, where living is easy and stone cottages and barns are in abundance, a simple and wholesome cuisine is preserved. Once you have tasted the Mogettes beans, topped with butter and accompanied by local ham, beef, or lamb, you will yearn to know more about the Bocage country. Brioche Vendéenne is another source of pride. Sweet and richly flavoured with brandy and/or orange water, this bread treat is savoured in large quantities. Prefou, a piece of garlic-rubbed dough eaten hot with butter as an aperitif, is paired with excellent summer aperitifs, such as the gold medal winner Côte de Grand-Lieu, a Muscadet-sur-Lie.

The finesse of the Gros-Plant or Gamay should also be compared to the fascination of the Vendée Fiefs, first produced by monks of the Middle Ages. See also the Musée du Vignoble in Le Pallet for a superb presentation on every aspect of Muscadet wine. Picture the mellow stone houses of the old streets of Fontenay, the gorgeous riverside village of Vouvant, the medieval walls and the meandering river Mere and the ruins of Blue Beard’s castle, and raise your glass of Muscadet to the Vendée and its many treasures.

Key Information about the Vendée (85)

• Main City/Prefecture: La Roche-sur-Yon
• Nearest Airport: Nantes Atlantique Airport
• Population: Around 700,000 (as of the latest census)
• Area: 6,720 sq. kilometres and 2,594 sq. miles
• Landmark: Puy du Fou, an award-winning historical theme park with spectacular reenactments and performances.
• Number of Tourists/Year: Approx. 5 million, attracted by its beaches, islands and family-friendly attractions.

Types of Properties for Sale in Vendée

Whether you imagine a seaside villa, a stone farmhouse, or a château, Vendée offers a diverse range of homes suitable for every lifestyle. Along the coast, you’ll find elegant seaside villas and modern houses, often in sought-after areas with sea views. In rural locations, traditional stone cottages (bourrines), longères, farmhouses, and countryside estates provide tranquillity and character at more affordable prices. Towns and villages feature both classic and contemporary flats, along with townhouses. Vendée’s blend of coastal living, rural charm, and historic properties makes it a popular choice for second homes, relocations and lifestyle investments.

Common Property Styles in the Vendée

• Traditional houses – Often single-storey, featuring sloping roofs that blend with the landscape.
• Contemporary houses – modern new builds found especially along the coast and in growing communities.
• The bourrine – a single-storey house (chaumiere) built with natural materials, typical of the marshlands.
• Wooden houses – increasingly popular for their warm and natural feel.
• Single and two-storey homes - common across the Vendée, offering flexibility and space.
• Rural properties – including farmhouses, longères, and private estates with land.
• Châteaux, mansions & period properties – Elegant residences on extensive grounds for buyers seeking prestige and heritage.

Property Prices in the Vendée in 2025

• Houses: the average price per sq. metre: €2,078 (source: Le Figaro - October 2025)
• Apartments: average price per sq. metre: €3,652 (source: Le Figaro - October 2025)
• Price trends: -2% over the last 12 months, +30% over the last 5 years (Le Figaro)

2025 House Prices in the Main Towns in Vendée

• Average House Price in La Roche-sur-Yon: €3,159 per sq. metre
• Average House Price in Les Sables-d'Olonne: €3,696 per sq. metre
• Average House Price in Challans: €2,594 per sq. metre

(source: Le Figaro - October 2025)

Explore Lifestyle & Property in Vendée

• Atlantic Coast & Countryside Bliss: With its sandy beaches, Marais Poitevin, and bocage landscapes, Vendée offers seaside villas, country cottages and island retreats, often cheaper than in Brittany.
• Strong Rental Potential: Tourists visit Les Sables-d’Olonne’s beaches and Puy du Fou’s spectacles, making properties here yield 7–10% annually, especially holiday homes and cosy fishermen's houses near the coast.
• Prime Location: Nantes Airport (1h), TGV to Paris (3h), and easy access to La Rochelle make it perfect for second-home owners and those wanting a peaceful yet well-connected escape.
• Mild Oceanic Climate: Warm summers (25–28°C) for sailing, cycling and seafood feasts, with gentle winters (6–10°C).
• Vendéen Lifestyle: A maritime region known for salt festivals, fresh produce markets, and nautical events. 

If you are looking to buy a property in the Vendée, browse our listings below, and please get in touch to discuss your search criteria.