1 - Seafood
With marine infused flavours from the coast, seafood takes pride of place on diners' plate, including sardines from Saint Gilles Croix de Vie and Vendée Atlantique oysters, not forgetting "sablaise" sole, bass and shellfish.
The Vendée, fine cuisine from land and sea
Between land and sea, the Vendée offers a range of innovative and traditional foods. With marine infused flavours from the coast, seafood takes pride of place on diners' plates. Country fare includes mogettes (white haricot beans), ham and préfou (a type of garlic bread)... there is plenty to get your teeth in to and food to suit any palate, all washed down with the local wine, Fiefs Vendéens (AOC). For something sweet at the end of your meal, the Vendéen menu offers some tasty desserts including brioche, gâches (similar to brioche) and donuts.
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2 - Country fare
At the heart of the Vendée, to live well, you have to eat well.
3 - Fine dining
Home to two restaurants with 2 Michelin stars, two restaurants with 1 Michelin star, the department of the Vendée has, for several years, been regarded as a gastronomic destination.
4 - The Vendée Atlantique Oyster route
Spread over almost 80 km of coastline, 13,000 tonnes of oysters are produced each year from the Loire estuary to the Bay of Aiguillon. Three shellfish farming areas are the main producers: the Bay of Bourgneuf - Noirmoutier, Talmont Saint Hilaire and the Bay of Aiguillon.
5 - On the wine route
The Fiefs Vendéens wine-growing region has recently been given a designation of origin (AOC). These vineyards are located in the south of the department and in five distinct areas: Brem sur Mer, Chantonnay, Mareuil sur Lay, Pissotte and Vix.
6 - Sites and visits not to be missed
Step into the Vendée's best food shops. Explore the culinary savoir-faire of this plentiful region.
7 - The "Cuisine Montoise" label
In the Pays de Monts, "sea and marshland" cuisine is extremely popular. A dedicated label has therefore been introduced to give recognition to traditional, local dishes.