Dinosaur tracks

Marie from Domaine de la Coutardiere
20 January 2026
15h08
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Dinosaur tracks on Veillon beach, a timeless family adventure in the Vendée

Summary for those in a hurry

On the Veillon beach in Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, you can see real dinosaur footprints dating back over 200 million years. Visible at low tide, they offer a free, fun and educational outing for the whole family during a holiday in the Vendée.

Just 20 minutes from our group gîte in Saint-Vincent-sur-Jard, this is a unique experience for young and old alike.

When a simple stroll becomes a journey through time

There are places I know by heart. Places I go to almost mechanically, because they're part of our daily lives here in the Vendée. The beach at Le Veillon is one of them.

One day, as is often the case, I went there with my children. Not as a tourist. Just to walk, breathe and enjoy the sea air. The sand was still fresh, the light soft, and the footsteps went by without a thought. And then one of them stopped.

— «Marie... it looks like a giant trace, doesn't it?»

I bent down. I saw it. And even if you live here, even if you know the history of the place, you still get that same thrill. Because on this very spot, beneath our feet, someone passed over 200 million years ago. And that someone was not human.

Every time, I say the same thing to myself: we're so lucky to have this here at home.

Veillon beach: a prehistoric treasure trove in the Vendée

The Veillon beach at Talmont-Saint-Hilaire is already an exceptional natural site. Between wild dunes, estuary, cliffs and pine forest, the scenery is breathtaking.

But what many people don't know is that at low tide, this beach reveals a heritage that is rare in France: fossilised dinosaur footprints, visible directly in the rock.

No showcase. No museum. Just raw, unspoilt nature.

And for children, it's a discovery that makes their hearts beat a little faster.

A life-size treasure hunt for children

The walk soon takes on a whole new dimension. You observe. You compare sizes. You imagine the dinosaur that left this mark.

Without realising it, children are learning. They ask questions, develop their curiosity and make connections.

I watch the scene in silence. Because it's exactly these moments that I like to share with my family: simple, free, powerful moments.

No need for screens. Just time together.

An ideal outing during your stay in a group gîte in the Vendée

When you stay in a group gîte or a large gîte in the Vendée, you look for outings that appeal to everyone: children, parents and grandparents.

The Veillon beach is perfect for that. From the Domaine de la Coutardière, our gîte located at Saint-Vincent-sur-Jard, It takes less than 20 minutes to drive to the site. It's an easy, accessible outing, ideal for a half-day. And even when the sky is a bit overcast, the magic still works.

Guided tours to take you further

If you want to find out more, I really recommend the guided tours offered by the Destination Vendée Grand Littoral tourist office.

Jack and Didier are two enthusiasts who know how to tell the story of the site in simple, lively terms. They captivate children and adults alike, making geology accessible to all.

You leave with a different view of the landscape... and often with even more questions.

Practical information before you leave

The footprints are only visible at low tide
Remember to check the tide times before setting off
Bring suitable footwear, as the rocks can be slippery.
Free outing for children
Guided tours available all year round (booking recommended in season)

You might be wondering?

More than 200 million years ago, dinosaurs walked on an area of soft mud. Over time, this mud hardened and fossilised, preserving their footprints.

At the time of the dinosaurs, the Vendée was a tropical zone of lagoons and marshes. Conditions were ideal for preserving footprints in sediment.

The footprints are only visible at low tide. Their visibility also depends on the state of the sand and the weather.

Yes, the site is listed and protected. It is forbidden to touch, move or damage the footprints in order to preserve this natural heritage.

Yes, guided tours are organised by the Destination Vendée Grand Littoral tourist office, with specialist guides.

Domaine de la Coutardière, the starting point for your discoveries

I like to think of our group gîte with indoor pool and spa, located between Jard-sur-Mer and Les Sables-d'Olonne, as an anchor point. A place where you can rest and explore again.

After an outing like this, we head back to the gîte, cheeks rosy from the wind, children still full of stories. We meet up in the heated pool, talk about the day and have a few laughs. And the memories slowly creep in.

DISCOVER OUR GÎTE

Walking together in the footsteps of history

I'm pretty sure of one thing. Of all the photos of your holiday in the Vendée, there's one you'll treasure for a long time. The one where your child's foot is gently placed in the footprint of a dinosaur.

Because on that day, you didn't just take a stroll. You walked together in the footsteps of history.

Domaine de la Coutardière - heated indoor swimming pool Vendée

Domaine de la Coutardière exterieurs (2)

We've got something for you too!

This nature outing combines perfectly with a walk to the Payré estuary, another of the Vendée's unspoilt sites, just a few minutes from Saint-Vincent-sur-Jard, This is the location of our group gîte, Domaine de la Coutardière.

And if you're staying for several days in Vendée, you can also have a completely different experience with a day at Puy du Fou, between history and grand spectacles.

Marie and Ghyslain

About the authors of the article

We are Marie and Ghyslain, farmers in the Vendée and owners of Domaine de la Coutardière, a group gîte with indoor pool located in Saint-Vincent-sur-Jard, just a few minutes from the ocean.

We live at the heart of our family farm and have designed this place so that families and friends can get together, slow down and create real memories together.

Through this blog, we share our favourites in the Vendée, our ideas for outings and our good addresses, to make your stay here as easy as it is memorable.

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