ANGELA
BIRD'S
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The |
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December 2011
WHAT'S
ON IN THE VENDEE
(entries
in red indicate new additions)
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PLEASE NOTE This website is really just a supplement
to Angela Bird's guidebook, The Vendée (left), which
gives full details |
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. |
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Until
11 Dec 2011 |
Foire Foraine Funfair |
Cours Dupont, |
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Until
31 Dec 2011 |
Imagerie du Pere Noel Old postcards and other images of Father
Christmas, presented in the local library. Tues, Fri 2.30-6;
Wed, Sat 10-12.30 & 2-5.30 (Wed until 6) |
Bibliotheque Michel
Raimbaud, Allee du Parc de Coubertin, Le Château d’Olonne |
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Until
26 Feb 2012 |
Georges
Simenon: La Vendée aux Quatre Coins du Monde Comprehensive exhibition about the famous
Belgian writer who invented Inspector Maigret. Simenon and his family lived for some years in and
around the Vendee, and he used the area as the setting for many of his
Maigret novels. |
Historial
de la Vendée, Les Lucs sur Boulogne. |
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2-4 Dec 2011 |
Marché
de Noël Beaulieu’s Christmas market is the most famous in
the Vendee, full of craftspeople and Christmas cheer beneath the trees of the
picturesque square. 125 stalls. (Sunday afternoon is the most crowded time,
so best to avoid that). Fri 4-9pm; Sat
10am-9pm; Sun 10am-7pm. Admission free |
Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche, near Aizenay |
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2 Dec 2011- |
Crèches
animées: La Féérie des Santons Wonderful
displays of animated nativity scenes in model-village settings and landscapes
of all kinds. Daily 2-6.30pm. 5€, children 3€,
under 10 free. |
Maison de l’Art, Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche |
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3, 4 Dec 2011 |
Telethon Local clubs do odd jobs to raise money for charity. |
Throughout the Vendée |
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3-24
Dec 2011 |
Exhibition: Christian Bourcereau, terres habitées
Beautiful
ceramics by one of the Vendée’s top potters. Fri-Sun 3-7pm. Admission free. |
Imagine atelier d’artiste 3 Rue
Henri Collinet, St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie |
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3, 4 Dec 2011 |
Marché
de Noël Christmas
market. 10am-7pm. |
Place Leclerc, Luçon |
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early
Dec |
annual
Christmas fair, held among the atmospheric
ruins of Maillezais Abbey – beautifully illuminated for the occasion. A
second craft “village” sets out traditonal Christmas trees amid snow. Sat 2-8.30pmpm ; Sun 11am-8.30pm. Admission free. |
Abbaye St Pierre, Maillezais,
near Fontenay-le-Comte (tel : 02 51 87 22 80). |
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3, 4 Dec, 10, 11 Dec, 17-19 Dec 2011 |
Le Mystère de Noël
A
beautiful 75-minute Christmas show in the indoor arena offers a colourful
re-creation of Bethlehem on the eve of Christmas. A sort of “Nine Lessons
& Carols” with some Puy du Fou exoticism! Times vary. Admission 20 euros, children under
12, 11 euros, under-5s free. |
Puy-du-Fou, |
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4 Dec 2011 |
Nouvel
an du Muscadet Annual
event at which Muscadet producers bring their latest vintage to show off and
offer tastings under the medieval market hall of Clisson. |
Clisson (Loire-Atlantique) |
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9-11 Dec 2011 |
Noël
à La Chabotterie
Christmas food and craft market in and around the historic country
mansion. This year under a Provençal theme, with olive trees and cypresses to
set the mood. 40 stalls; Provençal story-telling; donkey-rides; ice-sculpture
Sat 2-8pm; Sun 10am-7pm. Admission
free. |
Logis de la Chabotterie, |
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10, 11 Dec 2011 |
Marché
de Noël Traditional
wooden chalets inside the grounds of the medieval castle, selling Christmas
gifts and goodies. Regular 10-minute concerts on bells, puppet shows, barrel
organ, pony-rides and ice-sculpture. Sat
2-8.30pm; Sun 2-8.30pm. Admission free. |
Tiffauges (tel: 02 51 65 77 65) |
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10, 11 Dec 2011 |
Marché
de Noël Indoor Christmas
market, with local craftspeople selling. Sat 2.30-7, Sun 10-7. |
Salle Polyvalente, Bois de Cené, near Challans |
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11 Dec 2011 |
Voix de Noel: Festival des choeurs d’Enfants A
children’s choir from the Paris area sings Christmas songs in the old abbey
church of Nieul. 4pm. |
St Vincent de Nieul church, Nieul sur l’Autise, near
Fontenay |
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11 Dec 2011 |
Course Nature de la Vie
A run through the winter
countryside, with events in various categories. Too late to enter, but you can go and watch the 500
participants. |
Start : Stade de la Montpariere, Le Poiré-sur-Vie, near
Aizenay |
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11 Dec 2011 |
Opera de Pekin The celebrated Peking Opera, incorporating acrobatics, dance,
circus, and traditional singing. 4.30pm. Admission 35 euros. |
L’Echiquier
cultural centre, La Fourniere, Pouzauges |
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11, 17, 18, 21 Dec 2011 |
Spectacle de la Creche Vivante de Noël de Cholet 120 people take part
in a 45-minute Nativity tableau on the main square. 5.30pm and 6.30pm. Admission free. |
Place Travot, Cholet
(Maine-et-Loire) ; information from Cholet tourist office (02 41 49 80
00). |
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13-18 Dec 2011 |
Marché
de Noël Christmas
market, in the most ancient street of Fontenay. On Sat 17 Dec, torchlit
procession, 6pm. |
Rue des Loges, Fontenay-le-Comte |
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16 Dec 2011 |
Concert de Noel Christmas concert by a children’s choir, followed by hot chocolate
for all, served in the market hall. |
Eglise St Jacques, Pouzauges |
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17 Dec 2011 |
Voix de Noel: Festival des choeurs d’Enfants A
children’s choir from Turin sings Christmas songs in the old abbey church of
Nieul. 8.30pm. |
St Vincent de Nieul church, Nieul sur l’Autise, near
Fontenay |
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17-20 Dec & 26-31 Dec 2011 |
Noël au Haras Equestrian talks, demonstrations and
donkey rides in the handsome stud farm that lies in the centre of La Roche. 2-7pm. Admission 5 euros, children free;
does not include equestrian show “le 4e roi mage”. |
Le Haras, |
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17-20 Dec & 26-31 Dec 2011 |
Le
4e Roi Mage (The fourth King)
One-hour equestrian
show, in a heated big top, about
the odyssey of a King, en route to Bethlehem, and the people he meets on the
way. 3.30pm and 5.30pm. Admission 12 euros, children 8
euros, under-7s free. |
Le Haras, |
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17-20 Dec 2011 |
Marché de Noel Christmas market in the centre of La Roche, with 70 stands. Daily 10-7. |
Place Napoléon, La Roche-sur-Yon |
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18 Dec 2011 |
Voix de Noel: Festival des choeurs d’Enfants A
children’s choir from Odessa sings Christmas songs in the old abbey church of
Nieul. 4pm. |
St Vincent de Nieul church, Nieul sur l’Autise, near
Fontenay |
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18 Dec 2010 |
Choeurs
de France A
large choir sing Charles Aznavour numbers. Tickets are in great demand. 5pm and 8pm. 10 euros, students 5 euros. |
Salle polyvalente, Beauvoir-sur-Mer, near Challans. Booking on 02 51 68 71 13 |
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20-24 Dec 2011 |
Noël a St Gilles Christmas entertainment
for children near the marina on the north side of the estuary. 3-7pm. Admission free. |
Salle de la Conserverie, Quai des Greniers, St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie |
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25
Dec |
CHRISTMAS DAY (public holiday) |
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8 Jan 2012 |
Concert du Nouvel An Hugo
Reyne and the Simphonie
du Marais play two concerts at La Chabotterie. 3pm & 5.30pm.
Admission 18 euros. |
Logis de la Chabotterie, St Supice le Verdon |
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