Chrissy Symmons gets a taste for adventure in France

Night-time in Les Sables d’Olonne

Dangling from a rope attached to the top of a French tree, staring at the ground far below, I realised I had found my adventure.

They say everyone has a child inside them waiting to come out and play and Vendee, which lies on France’s Atlantic coast, is well-equipped to entertain all ages willing to embrace their adventurous side.

France has long been known for its food, cheese, fine wine and beautiful countryside but it also holds an exciting array of activities for the whole family.

From canoeing and cycling to taking part in nail-biting tree-top antics and sleeping in tree houses there is lots to do for all ages.

The area is also proud of its 250km of coastline, 140km of sandy beaches, and warm summertime seas that are said to be safe for children to play.

The beaches offer the chance to go rock-pooling, fossil-hunting and surfing.

The fun began as my plane touched down in Nantes.

With the region only being an hour away from the airport by car my friends and I jumped into our hire vehicle ready to tour the area and take advantage of what it had to offer.

The Indian Forest adventure park at Moutiers les Mauxfaits was probably one of the highlights of my visit to Vendee.

Here awaited a wealth of daredevil activities designed to challenge the nerves.

Amidst the tall trees hid mini golf, tree-top trails, bouncy castles, paint balling, large areas for orientation and a range of other activities for adults and children alike.

I chose to rise to the nail-biting challenge of walking on high ropes around 15 ft above the forest floor and whizzing down zip wires with nothing more than a harnesses to keep me safe.

Hotel Domaine de Brandois

After a quick training course on how to use carabiners we were let loose on the trails which ranged from beginners, for those aged nine years and up, to trails for experts, such as firefighters in training.

High in the foliage, with views normally only birds get to witness, I battled against my better judgement and found myself jumping across swinging logs and crawling through suspended barrels alongside fearless youngsters courageously showing the way.

I was both petrified and exhilarated and after a few hours decided to break for lunch. The park offered me a treat of French fries and apple pie before I again foolishly agreed to take part in another terror-inducing challenge.

I was enticed into strapping myself into what I can only describe as a human catapult which flung me 20ft into the air.

Slightly shaking it was time to get back into the car and off to explore the castle of legendry Bluebeard who was rumoured to be involved in the disappearance of hundreds of children in the area.

Legend had it the friend of Joan of Arc was so in debt he used the blood of youngsters to turn lead into gold.

The castle was lots of fun and got the imagination running wild with staff dressed in costume, battle machinery re-enactments and a quality Harry Potter-esque 3D film.

Like many children, I love to camp and so was excited to arrive at Chateau La Foret campsite, in St Julian des Landes – the home of Axel de Mauduit, who is a count.

In 2005 he decided to share the grounds of his 19th Century castle with campers and offers tree-top trails, three fishing lakes, golf, restaurant and special teenage camping areas.

But the best thing about the campsite is its more unusual forms of camping including a tree house overlooking a lake.

Built between two 200-year-old trees it has two bedrooms and a leafy outside dining area where breakfast is delivered by a pulley system.

Roman games among the shows at Grand Parc Puy du Fou

There is no electricity, to offer a more romantic hideaway, with only the birds singing and the breeze rustling the leaves.

Sitting there I felt as though I was part of a magical scene from the Lord of the Rings or a member of Peter Pan’s crew.

The site also has bubble tents which look like futuristic space hubs kept upright with fresh air pumped in. A see-through ceiling offers a view of the stars.

We moved on to Sables d’Olonne, which has various flat and hilly cycleways.

Hiring a bike from Le Veloo de la Foret, we peddled through the town on cyclepaths then past rugged, rocky coastline and up to the salt marches.

The scenery was breathtaking as we rode past the typical red, round-tiled roofed houses with shuttered windows and old wooden doors.

The area is famed for its salt marshes which historically helped boost the area’s economy. Earlier in the day we had explored the salty expanses of water by canoe.

Fun experience

With two to a boat it was easy to navigate the waters as we paddled past white goats on riverbanks and nearby houses. Going under the bridge we shouted “bonjour” to those watching and it was a fun experience in the beautiful sunshine.

Another great day out for the whole family is Grand Parc Puy du Fou – a large history theme park.

When we arrived there 7,000 visitors were ready to see a number of live stage shows.

Themed around different eras we watched breathtaking productions with actors dangling from wires, riding horses through glass windows and setting houses on fire.

It was unlike anything I had seen in England. Youngsters were enthralled to see real-life animals taking to the stage including dancing horses, roaring lions and sky-diving eagles.

And if that wasn’t enough, the little girl inside me leapt with joy at some of the accommodation France had to offer.

I felt like a real princess as we pulled up the grand drive of Hotel Domaine De Brandois.

It was a princess’s castle with turrets. Ponies grazed nearby as it is also a hotel for guests’ horses.

Those looking for a culinary delights would not be disappointed in Vendee. The area is well-known for its fresh fish which is shipped in early each morning around 6am ready for restaurateurs and hotels.

During my trip I was treated to prawns, cod, salmon, monkfish and more.

Over the days I spent in France my guide Fabienne said: “We are a destination for the whole family because of the lovely sandy beaches and all the activities for children.”

Travel Guide

• For more information about Vendee visit www.vendee-tourisme.com

• Jardin des Salines – to book a canoe call 06 11 67 34 97

• Bike hire: le Veloo de la foret. www.veloodelaforet.fr or call 06 10 52 42 59, email contact@veloodelaforet.fr

• Indian Forest at Moutiers les Mauxfaits. Visit www.indian-forest-atlantique.com or call 02 51 48 12 12

• Chateau de Tiffauges, Chateau de Barbe Bleue Tiffauges – email chateau.tiffauges@vendee.fr or visit www.vendee.fr or call 02 51 65 70 51

• Grand Parc Puy du Fou: www.puydufou.com/uk or call +33 (0)820 09 10 10

• Campsite Le Chateau de la Foret at St Julien des Landes: visit www.chateaulaforet.com or call 00 33 (0)2 51 46 62 11

• Chrissy Symmonds stayed at the Hotel Mercure Thalassa at Les Sables d’Olonne, Hotel Domaine De Brandois and Hostellerie de la Barbiniere