Context : Young , nearby stars are ideal targets to search for planets using the direct imaging technique . The determination of stellar parameters is crucial for the interpretation of imaging survey results , particularly since the luminosity of substellar objects has a strong dependence on system age . Aims : We have conducted a large program with NaCo at the VLT in order to search for planets and brown dwarfs in wide orbits around 86 stars . A large fraction of the targets observed with NaCo were poorly investigated in the literature . We performed a study to characterize the fundamental properties ( age , distance , mass ) of the stars in our sample . To improve target age determinations , we compiled and analyzed a complete set of age diagnostics . Methods : We measured spectroscopic parameters and age diagnostics using dedicated observations acquired with FEROS and CORALIE spectrographs at La Silla Observatory . We also made extensive use of archival spectroscopic data and results available in the literature . Additionally , we exploited photometric time-series , available in ASAS and Super-WASP archives , to derive rotation period for a large fraction of our program stars . Results : We provided updated characterization of all the targets observed in the VLT NaCo Large program , a survey designed to probe the occurrence of exoplanets and brown dwarfs in wide orbits . The median distance and age of our program stars are 64 pc and 100 Myr , respectively . Nearly all the stars have masses between 0.70 and 1.50 M _ { \odot } , with a median value of 1.01 M _ { \odot } . The typical metallicity is close to solar , with a dispersion that is smaller than that of samples usually observed in radial velocity surveys . Several stars are confirmed or proposed here to be members of nearby young moving groups . Eight spectroscopic binaries are identified . Conclusions :