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Self-Catering Holidays in Atlantic Aquitaine, South West France - Villas, Cottages & Apartments

Call 01395 576655 or email info@alternative-aquitaine.co.uk for information & booking


Family Holiday Sites in Aquitaine, south west France

FHS011 Residence de l'Océan,
La Tranche sur Mer, Vendée

Moorish-style holiday residence on one of the Atlantic's best beaches

Three Reasons to Choose Résidence de l'Océan
Right on the beach - and one of the Vendée's finest. All apartments have superb sea views
Short walk to shops and amenities
Boat trips to La Rochelle and Ile de Ré

Residence de l'Ocean links » Prices & Availability | Photos | Key Facts | Location | Apartments | How to Book | Tourist Guide

In Our Opinion...
When we first visited Résidence de l'Océan - on holiday - in May 2006, we knew it would be a great addition to our collection of Family Holiday Sites.

There's a fabulous sandy beach on your doorstep - at low tide there's rock pools and huge expanses of sand for ball games and when the tide comes in you can hop on to your body-board. With a fabulous pool and the town centre less than 5 minute away, you could hardly ask for more - this is what seaside family holidays are all about!

Next Steps
1
Choose an apartment
2
3
Check for special offers
4 Call 0870 6092845 or email us to book or hold an option for 48 hours
 
Key Facts
Location :
La Tranche sur Mer sea-front
Type of location :
Seaside resort - one of Atlantic France's best beaches
The résidence :
Designed in Moorish architecture, with direct access to the beach and 100 metres to the shops
No. of apartments :
46
Types of apartments available :
1 and 2 bedroom apartments with superb sea views
Prices :
Price Band for this venue:
- peak season
- off-peak
Check prices and availability:
check the Special Offers
What's included in the price:
> bed linen and bathroom towels
> fresh sheets and towels can be renewed each Saturday at reception for bookings of 2+ weeks
> outdoor parking space
> free wifi access at reception

What's not included in the price:
> Modest tourist tax payable locally - less than €1 per day per person
> €260 security deposit collected on your credit card on arrival. Deductions are made only if necessary (e.g. apartment left untidy or there are breakages)

Optional supplements are available too - all payable locally:
> baby cot (no linen) EUR 36/wk - please pre-book
> high chair EUR 19/wk - please pre-book
> pets EUR 38/pp wk - please pre-book
> end-of-stay clean up to EUR 175 - please pre-book
> TV EUR 44/wk
Arrival & Departure :
The reservation period booked must be Saturday-to-Saturday during the period 3 July to 28 August. Outside those dates it is possible to book midweek dates (minimum 7 nights)
Linen Arrangements :
Bed linen and bathroom towels are included in the rental - collect from reception on arrival. You can change your linen each week at reception
Swimming pool :
Heated from mid-June to mid-Sep, 11x6m, facing west and surrounded by a large sun terrace. Steps into the shallow end make it practical for kids. Views over the ocean and direct access to the beach.
Kids clubs :
None - but there are lots of other kids to meet during your holiday
Other facilities :
Reception, lifts, private parking, free wi-fi access at reception
Nearest beach :
20 metres - La Tranche sur Mer's sandy beach
Nearest boulangerie :
100 metres
Nearest airport :
La Rochelle - 1 hr drive (approx)
Nearest ferry port :
St Malo - 5 hr drive (approx)
Things to see & do :
Beach life including surfing, windsurfing, fishing, rock-pooling; cycling; water park; skate-board park; tennis courts; horse-riding; watersports lake & sailing school; weekly markets; day trips - visit La Rochelle and Ile de Ré by boat
 
Location     Map of La Tranche sur Mer
Lying on the Sud Vendée coast opposite the Ile de Ré, the resort of La Tranche sur Mer is a seaside paradise with exceptional beaches perfect for family holidays.

Résidence de l'Océan is perfectly situated right on the beach and just a short walk into the town centre.

Approximately mid-way down the Atlantic coast, La Tranche sur Mer is easily reached by car or plane. It's roughly a 5 hour drive from St Malo and La Rochelle airport is 1 hour's drive (approx).

 
Apartments
We're delighted to offer apartments at the beach-side of this residence, offering superb sea views. You can even sit on the balcony whilst you're kids play on the sand or in the pool.

Every apartment includes a well-equipped kitchen area with dishwasher, fridge, combination microwave and grill, electric hob, coffee machine, kettle and toaster.

There is a TV in each apartment - should you feel the need to watch it. A small supplement applies, paid locally.

FHS011-BBH 1 bedroom sea view • Sleeps 4 • 25-32m2
Living room with sofa-bed or pull-out bed • 1 cabin room or sleeping area with bunk beds or 1 bedroom with 1 double bed or 2 single beds • bathroom or shower room • WC • balcony with ocean view
CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY » GO
FHS011-BBU 1 bedroom sea view • Sleeps 5 • 31-39m2
Living room with sofa-bed • 1 bedroom with double bed and single bed • bathroom or shower • WC • balcony with ocean view
CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY » GO
FHS011-BCU 2 bedrooms sea view • Sleeps 7-8 • 60m2
Living room with sofa-bed • 1 bedroom with double bed • 1 bedroom with bunk beds 'cabin' sleeping area with bunk bedsbathroom • separate WC • balcony with ocean view
CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY » GO

 
Discover La Tranche sur Mer
La Tranche Sur Mer Tourist Office

The white houses and narrow streets give a French Mediterranean feel to La Tranche sur Mer. Blessed with year-round sunshine and 13 kms of sandy beaches, this is one of the best seaside venues we've found in France. From the pier, where the locals harvest sea snails, you can see across the water to La Rochelle and Ile de Ré.

Most time will be spent on the beach - low tide reveals wonderful rock pools and a huge expanse of sand for beach cricket and football. When the tide turns the surf picks up and it's time to hop on your body-board! By the end of the day, the kids will be worn out and Mum & Dad can relax on the balcony with a drink or two.

The La Tranche market is held in the centre of town every Tuesday and Saturday morning, plus Wednesday morning in La Grière (July and August) and Sunday morning in La Terrière (July and August).

Dotted around the resort are various cycle tracks and footpaths allowing you to discover the natural surroundings - beaches, forests and salt marshes.

The Maupas Lake offers various watersports options including tuition. Young kids will enjoy taking the scenic train to tour the town.

In fact, since 2001, La Tranche sur Mer is an accredited "Kids' Station" - this is a quality seal granted to resorts which provide leisure activities in a secure environment for children of all ages. Facilities include the Club Mickey beach club (July and August) and the Parc d'Attractions fairground.

Also for the children, is the 370m2 lido and paddling pool - the Mums and Dads might want to slope off to the sauna, solarium and spa. There's also tennis courts and a skate park in the centre.

Between the ocean and the marshes lies a 600 hectare forest of maritime pine trees and green oaks. The serenity of the environment adds to the holiday feeling. Within the forest is Parc des Florenias, a 7 hectare floral gardens.

Here are some more useful links for discovering the many activities on offer in La Tranche sur Mer. Please note that we are not responsible for the content of third party websites.

Centre Nautique Tranchais - La Tranche sur Mer Sailing School
Koa Surf School - La Tranche sur Mer Surf School
Nova Fun - La Tranche sur Mer Watersports School

 
Discover the Region
Even though it's hard to drag yourself away from a holiday slumber on the beach, La Rochelle and Ile de Ré are really worth visiting. And we recommend taking the boat to each - the drive around the mainland is quite a trek (we speak from experience). Much better to sit back and enjoy the ocean.

La Rochelle is recognised as one of the prettiest and distinctive towns in France; the Rough Guide in fact calls it the "most attractive and unspoilt seaside town in France". Its hidden streets, ancient houses and bustling port have long been popular with artists. Today, it is a favourite place for a day-out or a long weekend.

» Old Town - this offers excellent shopping along the arcades and stone slab streets. There are some wonderful mansions to be admired in the Beaux Quartiers district west of Rue du Palais. Also in the Old Town are the some impressive postcard sites including Porte de la Grosse-Horloge (La Rochelle's famous Gothic clocktower), the Hôtel de Ville and Maison Henri II. And don't miss out on the opulence of Café de la Paix - an ideal resting place after your wallet has taken a hammering on the Grande Rue des Merciers.

» Vieux Port - a fascinating few hours can be spent here admiring Vauban's ramparts, the old fishermens' houses in the Gabut district, eating out at Cour des Dames or café crawling at Quai Duperré. There's also a lovely park, Parc Charruyer, built on the old fortifications. There are too many worthwhile sites to list here, but Tour St Nicholas and Tour de Lanterne are two very fine towers.

» Francofolies Music Festival - if you happen to be in town on or just after Bastille Day (July 14th), you'll be in for a musical treat. The town is taken over in a homage to music of all genres.

» Aquarium and museums - the aquarium is one of the best in France and an ideal day-out on a non-beach day. Kids will also enjoy the Musée des Automates (three hundred figures moving to music!) and the Musée des Modèles Réduits (model cars, an underwater world, model train circuits, etc - a miniature train taken kids through the museum). There's also several 'grown-up' museums to enjoy in the town, the Musée d'Histoire Naturelle arguable the most impressive.

The other main destination for a long day-out is Ile de Ré, a narrow island of low rise, whitewashed villages, salt pans, oyster farms and beaches. Development is restricted on the island and this undoubtedly adds to its laid-back charm. In recent years, it's become one of the Atlantic's chic resorts (try Cap Ferret further south in Aquitaine too) favoured by wealthy Parisiens. It becomes a bit hectic in August but one of the island's best features is its network of cycle paths connecting the villages.

» St Martin de Ré is the mecca for beautiful people. Most arrive by yacht and spend a few idle hours indulging in the harbour's seafood restuarants and brocantes (do we sound jealous?). If ever St Martin de Ré is too crowded, La Flotte is a smaller, less well-known version and not to be missed.

» Aside from La Flotte, the best beaches are on the south at La Couarde and Le Bois. The lighthouse Phare des Baleines is worth a detour too - the views are wonderful and the clear waters will lure you in for a swim soon after!

- - -

Here's a couple more insights to discovering the region...

For golfers, the nearest course is Olonne-sur-Mer, a good 40 minutes' drive north. The course is exceptionally well located and enjoys panoramic views.

For a spot of sight-seeing and culture, the market towns of La Roche sur Yon and Luçon are worth visiting.

The entertainment and adventure park at Puy du Fou is a couple of hours' drive but lots of fun and the night-time light show is spectacular.

And here are some more useful links for discovering the region. Please note that we are not responsible for the content of third party websites.

La Rochelle Aquarium
La Rochelle Tourist Office
Ile de Ré Tourist Office
Vendee Tourist Office
Charente Maritime Tourist Office
Puy du Fou
"48 hours in La Rochelle" - article from The Independent

Residence de l'Ocean links » Prices & Availability | Photos | Key Facts | Location | Apartments | How to Book | Tourist Guide
Call 01395 576655 or email info@alternative-aquitaine.co.uk for information & booking
 updated 07.12.09 ja
View of the apartments from under the pier - click photo to enlarge Moorish architecture with swimming pool at the front - click photo to enlarge Example apartment balcony - click photo to enlarge Example apartment interior - click photo to enlarge Moorish style architecture of Residence de l'Ocean