Top family activities in La Tranche-sur-Mer

Seaside village La Tranche-sur-Mer is a popular destination for families. Many return year after year. What makes it so appealing? Its beaches, its sunny climate and the wide range of fun activities and water sports – both on the beach and in the surrounding area.

Settle down on the beach and admire the view of the Île de Ré as you soak up the sun, play with your children or read a good book. But that’s not all you can do! This Vendée seaside resort has plenty more to offer, like kitesurfing, land sailing and surfing.

And if inland walks are your thing, there are plenty of walking and cycling trails to explore.

La Tranche-sur-Mer’s best beaches

Year after year, the water at La Tranche-sur-Mer’s beaches is awarded the “Pavillon Bleu” (Blue Flag) mark and “Qualité des eaux de baignades” (Bathing water quality) certification. And it’s here for you to enjoy, whether you’re travelling alone or with your family. La Tranche-sur-Mer central beach is the most popular because of its prime position at the heart of the resort. The large, sandy beach between the Étang du Maupas and Rue de l'Aunis is supervised by lifeguards in summer.

Good to know: The Étang du Maupas lake is a great place to indulge your passion for water sports in gentle, safe waters.

If you prefer a beach with stunning dunes as your backdrop, then head to La Belle Henriette Beach, situated on the outskirts of the town as you arrive from La Faute-sur-Mer. The 3 km long beach is a site of stunning natural beauty, and you’re sure to find a secluded spot here at any time of day.

La Terrière Beach is the resort’s northernmost beach and its wildest landscape, with 2 km of dunes. The beach is accessed via sandy footpaths. Only one path (no. 152) has a hard surface.

Sainte-Anne Beach in the La Grière part of town is easy to access and suitable for people with reduced mobility.

A family-friendly Vendée resort known for its water sports activities

There’s plenty to do at the seaside, from surfing, sailing and stand-up paddle boarding, to kitesurfing, land sailing and even paddle boarding yoga! La Tranche-sur-Mer is the top family destination for water sports activities on the Atlantic coast.

Try out a relaxing activity like pedal boating or sea wading and admire the coast from out on the water. Or if you prefer something more energetic, you can have a go at tubing or learn how to kite surf!
And if navigating the waters is your thing, La Tranche-sur-Mer offers sailing lessons for people of all ages.

Good to know: there are nine water sports schools in the resort, so you’re sure to find an activity that suits your tastes and abilities!

A fun way to explore La Tranche-sur-Mer

Download the Baludik app to your smartphone and embark on a family-friendly walk around the resort. Local boy Louis has lost his dog, Nemo. It’s your job to help find him by following the clues. There’s no time to waste!

Head to the Maupas car park in La Tranche-sur-Mer to begin your adventure. This treasure hunt-style game is all about following the clues and solving the riddles. It takes around one hour to complete the hunt.

Good to know: the walk has been designed by the La Tranche-sur-Mer Tourist Information Office, in collaboration with Sud Vendée Tourisme.

Plan your cycling adventure in La Tranche-sur-Mer

The Tourist Information Office has devised a 15 km cycling tour of the town, suitable for cyclists of all abilities. Start your adventure at Place de la Liberté in the town centre before heading along the coast to Parc des Floralies.

After a short break under the shade of the pine trees, take the trail through the forest until you reach La Terrière Beach. From there, make your way to the attractive La Terrière centre, then onwards to the La Grière part of town. Next, head over the Étang de Maupas lake and discover the local “optimists” before arriving at the jetty, where a reward awaits you: unspoilt views of the Ile de Ré!

Then you can spend what’s left of the day on the resort’s central beach before enjoying a drink with your family in the town centre.