What's on in the Vendee: April events

ANGELA BIRD'S

The
Vendée

April 2013
WHAT'S ON IN THE VENDEE

(entries in red indicate new additions)

	PLEASE NOTE This website is really just a supplement to Angela Bird’s guidebook, The Vendée (left), which gives full details in its 176 pages of hundreds of interesting and off-beat tourist sites throughout the region. What you see on the website consists of either extra topics not covered in the book (Calendar, Restaurants, Travel routes, Internet links etc), or updated information (new tourist attractions open – or old ones closed) since the most recent edition of the book appeared. For the complete picture, order The Vendée through bookshops in the UK and Ireland, or from Amazon ; it is also on sale in good bookshops throughout the Vendée.	The listings on this site are supplied in good faith, gathered by the author from various Vendée sources. However it is always wise to check details with organisers or tourist offices before making a special journey.


1 April 2013	LUNDI DE PAQUES (Easter Monday) (public holiday)

Until 1 Apr 2013	Mondial des Minimes 41st edition of this annual junior international football competition, held over Easter weekend, with young teams from 12 nations including Germany, Netiehrlands, England, France, Portugal, Turkey, China, Chile. There will also be an exhibition on the main site.	Montaigu Matches aso at : Mouilleron-le-Captif, La Tranche, Treize-Septiers, St-Fulgent, La Tranche, St-Hilaire-de-Loulay.
Until 4 May 2013	La mer et l'aventure Photographic exhibition, with 40 images by Yvan Zedda showing the exhilarating sport of ocean yacht racing. Tues & Fri 4-7pm; Wed & Sat 10-12.30 & 2-5.30. Admission free.	Cedetheque de la Gaubretiere, La Gaubretiere
Until 19 May 2013	Félicie de Fauveau (1801-86), L'amazone de la sculpture Exhibition of sculpture by a 19^th-century royalist, catholic feminist. Fauveau supported the Duchesse de Berry’s royalist uprising and later lived in exile in Florence. This first retrospective of her work has been mounted jointly by the Historial de Vendée and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris (where it will be seen from 11 June to 15 Sept). Tues-Sun 10-6 (from 1 Apr until 7) Admission 8 euros, students 5 euros, children free. 1 yr pass 12 euros; Vendee pass 18 euros inc other major sites.	Historial de la Vendée, Les Lucs sur Boulogne.
Until 22 Sept 2013	Small Couture 6 - Le style Catimini : 1972-2012 Exhibition devoted to one of Cholet’s most successful modern textile companies, Catimini, which specialises in cool clothes for children. It’s also a look at childhood and how it has changed since the 1970s.	Musée du Textile, Rue du Dr Roux, Cholet
5 Apr 2013	Simphonie du Marais, director Hugo Reyne, perform flute concertos by Vivaldi, including La Notte, La Tempesta di Mare and Il Gardellino. Part of the prestigious “Spectacles de Vendée” season. 8.30pm.	Les Halles (old market hall), Saint-Hilaire-des-loges
11-13 Apr 2013	Festival Nouvelle Chanson Pop, rock and folk songs from six talented young artists, two each evening. Times vary. 17€, children 9€.	Les Atlantes, Les Sables d’Olonne (Réservations Office de Tourisme des Sables d'Olonne 02 51 96 85 78)

13 Apr 2013	Musiques françaises The choir of the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire perform some of the best-loved sacred music by French composers Berlioz, Fauré, Poulenc and others. Part of the “Spctacles de Vendée” season. 20h30	Église Saint-Laurent, Beaurepaire -
13 Apr-5 May 2013	Festival “Kid’s Folies” Lots of fun events for children, with a Jean Miro and generally Surrealist theme running through this year’s edition.	St-Jean-de-Monts
13 Apr- 29 Sept 2013	Le Grand Parc. New season for the hugely enjoyable “historical theme park”. High points include the storming of the “donjon médiéval”, the “Vikings”, and a fabulous falconry show. Among other dazzling entertainments are chariot-racing, and faithful recreations of medieval, 18th- and 19th-century villages. Apr, May open stated days only (see brochure), 10am-7pm; from 1-30 June Tues & Thurs-Sun 10am-7pm One-day pass: 31€, children 22 € (if booked in advance, 28€ & 19€); 2-day pass 46€, children 32€ (advance 41€ & 28€); 3-day pass 53€, children 38€ (advance 46€ & 33€) . Under-5s free.	Puy du Fou, Les Epesses, nr Les Herbiers (tel : 02 51 64 11 11).
15, 16 Apr 2013	Feu la mère de Madame / Mais n’te promène donc pas toute nue! Two classic Feydeau farces presented as a double-bill. 8.30pm.	15 Apr: Salle les Ribandeaux, Talmont-Saint-Hilaire; 16 Apr: Espace Sully, Chantonnay
19-21 Apr 2013	Printemps du Livre Annual book festival, with talks, displays, and local authors signing their works. Daily 10-7 (Fri is a special schools day)	Theatre de Thalie, Montaigu
21 Apr 2013	Carnaval de Cholet (daytime) Reputed to be one of the finest carnivals in France, with a daytime procession attracting thousands of visitors to the town.	Cholet, Maine et Loire
27 Apr 2013	Big Fish: Journée Festive sur le thème de la mer A sea-themed festival, with games, films, arts and crafts, plus concerts in the evening. 2pm-midnight. Admission 3€, children free.	Place de l’Ecole, St-Juire, nr Sainte-Hermine
27 Apr 2013	Carnival de Cholet (evening) 20,000 lightbulbs illuminate the night-time parade.	Cholet, Maine et Loire

The Conseil-Général’s website also has a regularly updated calendar of events
on its site www.vendee.fr, under “Agenda”.

A free quarterly publication called Musique-Danse lists many concerts of all kinds in the Vendee. You can find it in Mairies and tourist offices.
There is an online version here.

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