ANGELA BIRD'S

WHAT'S ON IN THE VENDEE
January 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 25 Jan 2009	“Il était une foi Henry Simon” Large exhibition of works by one of the Vendée’s most famous artists, who died in 1987. The 100 or so paintings, ceramics and church decorations have been selected on the seasonally appropriate theme of religion. Daily 2-6.30pm. Admission free.	1 Rue de la Stade (by the Cafe des Sports), Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche, near Aizenay.
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.
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
1 Jan	JOUR DE L’AN New Year’s Day (public holiday)
24 Jan	Simphonie du Marais Concert of music by Bach and Buxtehude by this well-known, Vendée-based baroque orchestra, under the direction of Hugo Reyne. Part of La Folle Journée season. 3.15pm. Admission 8€	Le Manège, La Roche-sur-Yon (tel: 02 51 47 83 83).
24 Jan	Simphonie du Marais Concert of music by Bach and Buxtehude by this well-known, Vendée-based baroque orchestra, under the direction of Hugo Reyne. Part of La Folle Journée season. 7.45pm. Admission 8€	Le Life, St-Nazaire, 44 (tel: 02 40 22 91 36).
29 Jan	Simphonie du Marais Concert of music by Bach and Buxtehude by this well-known, Vendée-based baroque orchestra, under the direction of Hugo Reyne. Part of La Folle Journée season. 7pm. Admission 13€	Cité des Congrès, Nantes, 44 (tel: 0892 705 205).

28 Jan	Casse-Noisette An acrobatic adaptation of the ballet “The Nutcracker”, performed by the Chinese Circus troupe. Part of the Spectacles de Vendée season. 8.30pm	Les Atlantes, Les Sables-d’Olonne (tel: 02 51 36 93 60).
28 Jan-1 Feb	La Folle Journée: From Schütz to Bach Three days packed full of baroque music, with an emphasis this year on Bach and the musicians who preceded him. Based in Nantes and the Pays de la Loire region, its venues include some in and around the Vendee: Challans, Cholet, Fontenay-Le-Comte, La Roche-sur-Yon, l’Ile d’Yeu and Saint Nazaire. Full programme available on the website from mid-Dec 2008.	Various venues
30 Jan	Simphonie du Marais : La bibliothèque musicale de Bach Concert of music by this well-known, Vendée-based baroque orchestra, under the direction of Hugo Reyne. Part of La Folle Journée season. 7pm. Admission 13€	Cité des Congrès, Nantes, 44 (tel: 0892 705 205).
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

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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