ANGELA BIRD'S

WHAT'S ON IN THE VENDEE
February 2009

(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.

Until 22 Feb 2009	Creches animées 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
Until late Feb 2009	Le Bénin et ses royaumes Large exhibition on the west-African country of Benin, which has close links with the Vendée.	Historial de la Vendée, Les Lucs-sur-Boulogne.
31 Jan-late Feb	Vendée-Globe village reopens The tented village, containing boutiques of nautical paraphernalia and information on this gruelling round-the-world yacht race is open for three weeks in anticipation of all the yachtsmen and –women returning to port. Keep an eye on the Vendee Globe website to see when your favourits skipper is due to return from the single-handed round-the-world race, and come and cheer him or her in.	La Chaume, near Les Sables d’Olonne
Until 29 Mar 2009	Exhibition: Paul-Emile Pajot et son temps (1873-1929) Works by one of the self-taught fishermen-painters of La Chaume, whose precisely-rendered images of tuna-fishing sailing boats and storm-tossed wrecks can usually be seen in the attics of the museum. Tues-Sun 2.305.30pm. 4.60 euros.	Abbaye Ste-Croix, Rue de Verdun, Les Sables-d’Olonne
mid Feb	29ème Salon Régional Antiquaires et Belle Brocante Quality antiques fair at La Roche’s exhibition centre. 9am-7pm.	Parc Expositions des Oudairies – Route de Cholet, La Roche sur Yon
15 Feb	3e Bourse des Collectionneurs Collectors’ fair, with stamps, postcards, coins, books and documents on sale.	Salle du Havre, Olonne-sur-Mer (next to Super U store)
Feb	Circuit des Plages Prestigious cycle race through the Vendee’s seaside resorts., finishing in St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie	Various venues (tel: 02 52 55 47 84).
21, 22 Feb	Chocolats et viennoiseries musicales : Vienne 1806-1826 Concert of music by musicians of the Simphonie du Marais, a well-known, Vendée-based baroque orchestra, under the direction of Hugo Reyne. The programme features music for the traditional Hungarian instrument the csakan, a cross between a flute and a walking-stick, composed by `Heberlé, Krähmer, Mozart and Scholl. 4.30pm. Admission 16 euros, children 13€	La Grange, Logis de la Chabotterie, St-Sulpice-le-Verdon, near La Roche-sur-Yon (tel: 02 51 42 19 39).

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.

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