Parc Floral et Tropical, Vendee, France

The Parc Floral et Tropical de la Court d'Aron, situated in the town of Saint-Cry-en-Talmondais, Vendée, France is an exception park; and as the name suggests it has a very tropical theme and feel about it.

On entering the park you're welcomed by a quaking duck and the pleasant noise of a half bamboo water shoot rhythmically filling with water and then emptying into the pond every few seconds. From there you meander around the various paths through open gardens, wooded areas, ponds and various other river and water features at your leisure. On a fine summer's day, which is almost guaranteed in the Vendee, temperatures anything up to 35C (95F), it makes for a pleasant day out.

On our journey through the park we had the pleasure of seeing a wide range of butterflies feeding from the many flowers in bloom, bees and other insects including dragonflies as big as your finger. Rivers winding into the background for as far as you can see steppe with regular mini-waterfalls.

Plenty of wildlife to see in, on and around the numerous pongs including frogs, fish, ducks and black swans; one pond in particular had water plants with rather attractive seed pods the size of a large dinner plate demonstrating that big can be beautiful.

This park is just one of many attractions in the Vendee. If you've never been to the Vendee and get a chance to visit then I highly recommend taking the opportunity. We've been many times and haven't been disappointed yet. The beaches are glorious, the sand very light in colour is very soft, fine and silky; the sea is always very warm and the sun hot. Although the Vendee is only half way down France it is just far enough south to pick up the beginnings of the Mediterranean climate and the local architecture is typical Mediterranean.

And for days where you want a change to beaches there are ample local attractions including other wildlife and nature parks and reserves etc. chateaus (castles), open air markets (always worth visiting) just to mention a few; although the best attraction of all, and a must see is Puy du Fou (theme park in the Vendee).

The only thing that takes getting use to is all the town shops closing lunch time for their siesta and no opening again until late afternoon.