Best way to travel around the Vendée without a car
The best way to travel without a car? A number of options are available to you in the Vendée – TER trains and buses, coaches, local shuttle services …..and of course the extensive Vendée Velo network for those travelling by bike!
Travelling without a car while in the Vendée
Public transport services in France- making things more visual.
The Vendée is well connected with many different transport options.
Flixbus routes to France - cheap coach travel options
Flixbus to France provides an intercity bus service for reasonable prices. For further information check out their website www.flixbus.co.uk.
How to travel around on public transport in France – a simple guide
Like anywhere in France, the Vendée has its various forms of public transport so getting around can be simple.
What is a TER train & coach service in France?
The term TER (transport express regional) is a train and coach service operated by the SNCF and regional councils. This network is extensive in the Vendée and the Pays de La Loire region.
Below are links to the SNCF website; here you will find information on booking train tickets in France online, or how to buy bus tickets and even what you need to do if you are taking a bike on the train!
https://m.ter.sncf.com/pays-de-la-loire
https://m.ter.sncf.com/pays-de-la-loire/se-deplacer/carte-reseau-aleop
Coach travel in France – regional service information
Additional information concerning getting around the Vendée can be found on Destino. This provides itinerary by coach/train or both, indicating travel time, cost and how to book bus tickets. https://www.destineo.fr/en/
- Regional coach service N°12 offers a daily service between Nantes and Saint-Jean-de-Monts and stops in Challans and Le Perrier.
- Regional coach service N°13 runs throughout the year from Nantes TGV train station and stops in Noirmoutier-en-l'lle (bus station) and Fromentine (by the Ile d'Yeu shuttle).
Information: CTA /EFFIA Synergies - Tel: 0 810 00 66 92 (local rate call) www.oui.sncf/
Alternatively, the “Aleop” service provides a vast coach network for getting around the Vendée or Pays de La Loire region. (If you are hoping to visit the island of Noirmoutier and you are travelling without a car – no need to panic, a coach service runs on a regular basis).
https://aleop.paysdelaloire.fr/vendee
Other bus routes: Sovetours, Impulsyon (www.impulsyon.fr) service La Roche-sur-Yon and its 14 surrounding communes.
Local Shuttle bus services
A number of coastal resorts provide shuttle services around the town or even have local beach drop off points – check with the local tourist office for further details.
Local shuttle services during the season :
- Saint Gilles Croix de vie - Gillobus /Le Littorale
- Saint Hilaire de Riez – Hilago’bus
- Les Sables d’Olonne/Olonne sur mer - Oleane mobilités
- La Tranche sur Mer - Fun Bus
Additional options are local taxi services, information from local tourist offices.
Bike hire – Information from local tourist offices (due to large number if cycle paths)
Visit our Cyclists frendly page
Additional transport services
The only way to get to the Ile d'Yeu is by boat. The ferry company Yeu Continent sails throughout the year from Fromentine (La Barre de Monts).
www.compagnie-yeu-continent.fr.
During the summer season you can also sail from Saint Gilles Croix de vie and La Barre de Monts with La Compagnie Vendeenne.
www.compagnievendeenne.com
Another original way to get across to the island is by helicopter. Compagnie Oya Vendée Hélicoptère provides a service between La Barre de Monts and Ile d'Yeu.
www.oya-helico.com