Outside there is a covered deck with wooden seating and table, enabling all meals to be taken outside, enjoying the birds song and being surrounded by nature. There is also a large patio area with 3 loungers as well as a gas barbecue, bike rack, and parking space.

LE BOIS DORMANT SITE

Le Bois Dormant is generally regarded as one of the best holiday parks in the Vendée, with excellent facilities and a great atmosphere on site.

The sister site of Le Bois Masson is just across the road, but has a completely different personality. This means you get the best of all worlds, as if you stay at Le Bois Dormant you can still use all the facilities of Le Bois Masson and vice versa.

At Le Bois Dormant a long winding road leads you to a very French style pool complex, The restaurant and bar terrace are located overlooking the pool allowing family lunches and dinner to be enjoyed in a shaded outdoor area.

The Park is sandy with the many trees providing some welcome shade in the hot weather. Le Bois Dormant feels spacious and relaxed, and creates a relaxed atmosphere with the park staff making you feel that nothing is too much trouble.

There are three children's clubs, for children ranging from 1 year old up to 14/16 year olds, which meet 2/3 times a day, 6 days per week. These clubs are great for providing the space for children to meet up, do some fun activities and make some new friends of varying different nationalities. Le Bois Dormant has superb facilities with the pools and waterslides attracting lots of attention.

The park also has a large multi-sports pitch with running track, football and basketball. Many children on the site, especially during the high season, gather here each afternoon for a game of football. The kid's clubs on site do arrange football coaching sessions and further details are available from reception.

However, if this all sounds suspiciously sporty, you can still do nothing more than soak up the sun. The Vendee region has a micro climate, matching the south of France in terms of temperatures and hours of sunshine, this area of France benefits from long stretches of safe sandy beaches; ideal for families with growing children. Thus one can enjoy the benefits of a Mediterranean climate without the long drive south or the costs of fuel.

Le Bois Dormant has a lovely relaxed feeling by night but if you want more action just nip over the road to the entertainment complex on Le Bois Masson.

In Le Bois Masson there is also a super pool complex. It also has a wellness and fitness centre, a sauna, steam room and heated indoor pool. Massage and beauty treatments are available here at very reasonable prices.

THE SURROUNDING AREA

The coastline is enhanced by the proximity of pine forests, organized paths for cycling or walking and the blue skies, green trees and orange roofs are a feature of the Vendee countryside. There are miles and miles of stunning sandy beaches a 10 minute bike ride away from the park. Many of the beaches have lifeguards which make it very safe for the children.

There are also some excellent golf courses in the area, including a wonderful links course just down the road in St Jean de Monts. There are some fun themed mini golf courses too or a host of other activities including horseriding, cycling, boating, quad biking, water parks, climbing, fishing and many more to be found in the towns of St Jean, Notre Dame de Monts, Noirmoutier, St Gilles Croix de Vie and Sables d'Olonne.

The adventurous can venture further afield to enjoy the spectacular presentations at Puy de Fou, visit one of the beautiful islands L'Ile d'Yeu, L' Ile de Re or cross the causeway to Noirmoutier Island or the pretty inland villages of Sallertaine, Soullans and Coex to name but a few.

Eating out presents only problems of choice as there is a huge selection of restaurants, so something for everyone. The value to be had in some of them is superb with many good value fixed price menus. There is an abundance of delicious seafood. Or if you don't fancy that you can shop when you want and visit the local hypermarkets, open air markets (twice weekly in the town) and buy everything from wine to artwork.