Directory of Nearby Places and Activities
Villa Serenity - Vendays-Montalivet
Hospitals
The nearest hospital is in Lesparre-Medoc: Clinique Mutualiste de Lesparre, 64 Rue Aristide Briand, 33340 Lesparre-Médoc
The nearest pediatric-specialized hospital is: Urgences Pédiatriques - CHU Pellegrin, Pl. Amélie Raba Léon, 33000 Bordeaux.
On-call Doctors
By dialing 15 (0033 15) you can reach the service that can tell you the on-call doctor in the area.
Doctors
The nearest doctor is Ramaroson Lucienne, Route de Montalivet in Vendays. Tel: 05 56 41 78 79
Other doctors are at the Cabinet de médecine générale in Queyrac, 10 Rue du Huit Mai 1945, 33340 Queyrac. We have had good experiences with Dr. Huynh there.
Pharmacies
The pharmacy "Les Deux Ecoles" is in the center of Vendays next to the church. For an out-of-hours pharmacy there is a notice in the window listing the region's on-call pharmacy. Another pharmacy is located in Montalivet on the main road, not far from the beach.
Vendays
- Public library https://www.vendays-montalivet.fr/loisirs/mediatheque/
- Children's playground - Impasse des Écoles, next to the Salle Culturelle
- Outdoor fitness area and parkour - Impasse des Écoles, next to the Salle Culturelle in the woods (on the other side of the playground)
- Event center "Salle Culturelle" - Route de Courreau 33930 Vendays-Montalivet. A map with further city recommendations: https://www.vendays-montalivet.fr/la-mairie/les-equipements/
Montalivet
- Hiking trails with art installations (Sentiers)
- Free sports classes like yoga, volleyball etc.: https://www.vendays-montalivet.fr/loisirs/montasports/
- Forest adventure park: https://www.laforet-aventure.com/
- Go-kart track and bouncy castle (Lilyparc): https://kartingmontalivet.com/
- Paintball: https://www.paintball-montalivet.com/
- Skatepark: https://www.vendays-montalivet-tourisme.fr/offres/planchons-montalivet-les-bains-vendays-montalivet-fr-5151249/
- Minigolf Chez Grapouille: https://www.vendays-montalivet-tourisme.fr/offres/mini-golf-des-vins-chez-grapouille-vendays-montalivet-fr-5294320/
- Playground with climbing net: Near the mini-golf area and the Aldi supermarket
Naujac-sur-Mer
- Forest adventure park and animal park: https://www.animalia-parc.fr/
Hourtin
- Ile aux Enfants: island with a large wooden fort and many play options for children, water skiing in summer https://www.my-hourtin.com/activites-et-commerces/ile-aux-enfants/. Our recommendation for little adventurers.
Royan
- Dinosaurs, dino skeletons and living reptiles, snakes and crocodiles can be found at Planet Exotica in Royan. Shows are offered at certain times including riding shows, animal feedings, etc. Events take place on certain days, e.g., during Halloween. There is an indoor and outdoor area, and play areas for children are available both outdoors and indoors. Reachable by ferry, which is its own little adventure for many young explorers. https://www.planet-exotica.com/
Vensac
- Nice, small animal park. Horse riding is one of the offered activities. On special occasions such as Easter there are events in the animal park: https://leszanimauxdebabou.wixsite.com/website
La Teste-de-Buch
- La Dune de Pyla: About a 2-hour drive away is the highest moving dune in Europe - / Dune de Pilat.
Montalivet
Also reachable via the bike path (approx. 30 min), this beach offers several surf spots and an area monitored by lifeguards. Free parking is available near the skate park and close to the "Cube". South of Montalivet, a pristine sandy beach stretches behind a belt of forest all the way toward Spain, interrupted only by occasional seaside resorts along the coast. In the northern part of Montalivet there is a skatepark immediately adjacent to the beach. On the beach itself there is also a volleyball court and other recreation options. In Montalivet itself you'll find a rope course (accrobranche), a kart track and paintball. "Monta Sport" organizes various free sports activities.
Vensac
North of Montalivet there are more unguided surf spots and free parking.
Soulac-Sur-Mer
North of Vensac — also reachable via the bike path (approx. 1 hr) — a picturesque village sits behind a beautiful beach. You can still find historic German bunkers from World War II here, gradually being reclaimed by the sea.
Les Pins Sec
Another beautiful beach where bunkers are slowly sinking into the sea. We especially liked the Ardilla Café right at the beach access. If you stop by: let us know how you liked it!
Lac de Hourtin
In the northern part of the lake there are small beaches where you can enjoy the wave-free water; swimming courses for children are occasionally offered there: https://maps.app.goo.gl/X558ipUHv5AZ1Qmz9. The "Ile aux enfants" is very nearby.
Depending on the season and the day, some restaurants require a reservation in advance or are closed. The recommendations describe our experiences during our time there. There are certainly more good restaurants than we tried. If you had good or bad experiences with our suggestions, or want to share further recommendations, let us know!
Montalivet
Le Pi
Near the beach behind the co-working space "The Cube" is Le Pi, a small restaurant-bar with an exceptional menu.
Food
The chef calls his cuisine "tapas fusion." If not on the menu, a vegetarian option is always possible on request.
Why
The dishes at Le Pi are works of art, lovingly presented and absolutely delicious. With its unusual, creative food it is one of our favorites in Médoc and also recommended by our children. We especially liked that asking for "something vegetarian" always resulted in a different, very tasty dish being brought to the table.
L'Ocean 2
Right on the beach with a large outdoor terrace and sea views. Special events are held at this restaurant.
Food
Varied menus, different appetizers and salads; vegetarian options available.
Why
Friendly service, salads and smaller snacks (we like tapas) left a very positive impression; the sea view is of course a plus.
www.facebook.com/montalivetocean2/
Le Waikiki
Le Waikiki is located at the entrance to Montalivet as one of the first restaurants on the right-hand side.
Food
Bowls with vegetables, meat or fruit. Cakes and sandwiches. Vegetarian options available.
Why
Refreshing, varied and tasty bowls appealed to us and the children.
www.facebook.com/waikikimonta/
Les Pins Sec
Ardilla Café
Before the last dune at the Les Pins Sec beach, on the right side is the Ardilla Café with a large outdoor terrace. Sometimes sporting events are shown inside. Live music is sometimes played in the evenings.
Food
Varied menus, tapas, sangria, cocktails.
Why
We liked the relaxed atmosphere, the vegetarian tapas options, and the sangria and cocktails.
www.facebook.com/ardilla.cafe/
Lesparre-Medoc
Kiniro
Located next to the Carrefour at the town entrance, this is a Japanese "all-you-can-eat" restaurant.
Food
Asian cuisine and a buffet with maki, sushi, temaki, nems, gyoza and yakitori are on the menu, as well as various salads and fried options.
Why
Clear favorite of our children, since you can order a varied three-course selection from the menu — including fries, seaweed salad and cucumber- and avocado-maki. One of the few restaurants open year-round.
Jess Burger
On the way to Leclerc (and the frequently cheapest gas station in the region) behind the center of Lesparre.
Food
Homemade burgers, fries and salads. A vegetarian burger is part of the menu.
Why
Homemade fries and a tasty selection of sauces make Jess Burger a recommendation from us if you want burgers.
www.instagram.com/jess\_burger33340/
Grayan-et-Hôpital
Relax Café
North of Villa Serenity on the way to Soulac is the Relax Café — with a mini-golf course in the garden. Children can play outside while waiting.
Food
Homemade burgers, French cuisine. Vegetarian options available.
Why
The relaxed atmosphere is enhanced by play options for children such as a swing and garden. The burgers left a good impression on us.
www.facebook.com/Relaxcafegrayan/
Soulac-Sur-Mer
Merlo Café
Near the ancient church of the covered market in picturesque Soulac-Sur-Mer.
Offerings
Rolls, cookies, cakes, coffee, chai and matcha variations and baby-cino. Various organic products can also be purchased in the mini-shop.
Why
Nice family-run café with lovingly prepared food and drinks, popular with our children.