The epitome of light, bright beach-house chic, this contemporary villa is surrounded by pine trees – and yet it’s also just minutes from shops, restaurants, watersports, bike hire and tennis courts – with eight kilometres of golden sand just a few steps away.

In your own landscaped garden, including a private swimming pool, pine-shaded Jacuzzi and a generous sunbathing terrace, lazy hours slip by uninterrupted. Come evening, a stone-built barbecue and seating area, boules court and covered table tennis area create sociable spaces to gather together.

The clean lines and whitewashed finish of the exterior reflect the minimalist style of the interiors. All bedrooms have direct access to the garden and the living areas are invitingly open-plan. If you’re not eating al fresco, the family dining table accommodates ten comfortably – the chance to enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal with ingredients picked up from one of the local markets just a few kilometres away – or, for a real holiday treat, request a chef to do the honours.

When you are ready to venture beyond your local beach, there are many others to explore – over half of the Vendée’s 250 kilometres of Atlantic coastline is sandy, with plenty of opportunities to dine overlooking the waves. The coastal towns are a genuine pleasure, particularly the old fishing village of Les Sables-d’Olonne, with enough old-world charm to transport you far, far away. Inland, the Marais Poitevin, known as 'Green Venice', is a timeless water world: 90,000 hectares of canals and marshland, forests and abbeys. Hire a small boat and create your own wildlife safari – the area is teeming with birds and animal life.

Golfers are spoilt for choice here – there are six courses all within an hour of the house. For those interested in a serious game, the Domangère course at La Roche-sur-Yon is the one to go for.

Vendée Beach House and The Ocean Villa are positioned next door to each and whilst maintaining independence and privacy, they can be rented together to provide a spacious venue for an extended family gathering or a group of friends.

The local area

The coastal towns are delightful, with the old fishing village of Les Sables-d’Olonne full of old world seaside charm, its broad beach lined with restaurants and cafés. It is famous as the starting point for the gruelling Vendée Globe sailing race. St-Jean-de-Monts is known as the biggest sandpit in western France, although La-Tranche-sur-Mer actually tops it with 13km of sandy beach. St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is the oldest port in the Vendée and if you like grilled sardines this is the place to go. Offshore, the islands of L’Ile-d’Yeu, with its wild coastline facing the Atlantic, and Noirmoutier, reached by its exceptional causeway the Passage du Gois (check the tide tables), are wonderful spots for day outings.