For days out, why not look at the Tourist Office websites for St Jean des Montes and Nantes? I'm sure you'll get loads of suggestions there!

I would venture to suggest that town supermarkets would be cheaper than campsite ones, and you might also find good butchers (boucherie) and cake shops too (boulangerie-pâtisserie) outside the site. You will certainly find far more choice. However, you might decide to bring your own tea with you - Lipton Yellow and even the Tetleys sold in France doesn't touch the sides!! And DON'T FORGET YOUR CORKSCREW!!!

hi there,
there is a superu, intermarche and a lidl about 2 miles away !( all much cheaper) dead easy directions turn left at site exit thru 1 mini roundabout and at the next one , turn right lidl as abou 400 metres on your left the others are further up

Go to the market in Challans the fresh produce there was fab, from memory there is also a good food market (indoor) in St jean

Day out try Puy Du Fou google it for the web site

Adrian

We were there in 2007, the super market is OK but plan on doing a "family shop" off site. However it has pretty poor opening hours so if you are an out of hours arrival then bring some provisions. There is a cheap store out of the site (turn right) and walk about 15 minutes which is much better value.

thank you every one for your answers so far, any more info would be gratefully recieved
Katherine

There are a couple of big supermarkets on the St Jean ring road just a mile or so from you. If you want a Hypermarket there's a Hyper U at St Glles Croix de Vie. We found the Hyper prices cheaper than Supermarkets even for the same chain.

For fresh produce don't miss the market at St Jean (Sunday & Wednesday I think).

St Gilles is worth a visit anyway. Also a trip out to the Ile de Nourmoutier is worth it - Nourmoutier itself has a small castle & a nice little shopping area.

Also quite close to you are a water park & a large fun fair

If you're going to have crepes you MUST try La Chaise Longue at the southern end of St Jean beach (actually on the beach). Not the cheapest but believe me it's worth it.