Capital of the Marais Breton, Challans is located in the heart of Vendée , in Pays de la Loire. A city where life is good, Challans is very famous for its craft market on the Champ de Foire. Capital of Duck, you should also not miss the poultry fair! Just a stone's throw from Les Sables d'Olonne, it's a complete change of scenery!
If you don't know what to do in Challans, here are the top 10 activities to do
Written by Anto
03 May 2025
read in 1 min
The emblem of the town, the Notre Dame church and its bell tower , built in the 11th century, mark the identity of the town of Challans . Due to lack of funds, Notre Dame was abandoned and a few years later, a church next door was rebuilt. Today, the old bell tower is still present and is located 50 meters from the current church. There are so many other things to visit in Challans.
From the historical heritage, go to the Jan and Joël Martel space, the Théâtre Le Marais and La Chapelle de la Bloire for a moment of culture
A historic monument, the Coudrie Commandery Abbey is a former Templar commandery, located not far from the small village of Froidfond .
Restored after a fire during the War in the Vendée (1793-1794), the site is open to visitors and now hosts two associations: Coudrie en Challans and the Astro Club Challandais
Sablière Park is located in the heart of Challans. It offers residents and visitors a chance to stroll and relax after a busy day.
A body of water, green space, children's play area and picnic area are available for you to have a good time.
For a bowling evening with friends or family, meet at Nagada in Challans.
With 8 bowling lanes, billiards, a bar/restaurant area and an arcade room, so many activities for a great evening!
Open every day from 2:30 p.m. to midnight.
Prices:
1 part: €7.50
2 games: €13
3 parts: €18.50
On Route de Chollet, the Martini Racing Kart is a great activity to do in Challans. Running since 1995, the Martini Racing Kart offers thrills for both beginners and experienced riders ! It's a time for sharing and conviviality around a sporting activity. You can even enjoy a relaxing moment at the bar on the panoramic terrace.
The kart track is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Prices:
On the Challans freshwater lake, Planète Racing offers all kinds of water activities.
The leisure center is located between Saint Jean de Monts and La Roche sur Yon , very close to the ocean.
Jet skiing for exceptional gliding sensations or even towed buoys for a fun time, everything is possible at Planète Racing!
The leisure center is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In the heart of the historic town of Challans , the Red Zone leisure complex awaits you! It has no less than 600 square meters of space, a trampoline area, squash courts, a kids' area and a restaurant area. Everything you need for a great day out for young and old alike.
The leisure complex welcomes you every day from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Prices:
from 7 to 20 € depending on the activity.
Rainy day in Challans ? Head to Route de Soullans for a cerebral adventure!
With Sov Ki Peu , try to escape from a locked room in less than 60 minutes! Teamwork, logic and observation are required to successfully solve this mystery!
There are 4 rooms available. Please note that each room has a different level of difficulty.
The escape game is open every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., by reservation only.
Prices (by reservation only):
Numerous parks and trails will allow you to explore the exceptional landscape of the Vendée .
Looking for a hike or a family outing? There are many walks available from Challans. The marked trails will allow you to enjoy a relaxing stroll.
Among the best routes, we recommend the Lande trail , accessible on foot and by bike, discovering a remarkable ecological site.
An exceptional activity in Challans to get a breath of fresh air!
Head to Saint Hilaire de Riez , 20 minutes from Challans, to visit a haven of peace, the Rigonneries gardens . It's no less than 900 varieties of plants on 1 hectare dedicated to nature lovers. Stroll through the paths, smell and admire the beauty of the plants used.
The garden is open Tuesday to Sunday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Check the opening hours on the official website.
Prices:
Here are some ideas for where to go out in Challans:
