What's on in the Vendee: June events

ANGELA BIRD'S

The
Vendée

June 2008

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.
30 May- 1 June	Rendez-vous aux Jardins Annual weekend of garden-visiting, with some private gardens open, and some public ones staging special events. (The link, to a French government site, should be updated with the 2008 calendar soon)	Throughout France
30 May- 1 June	Jardins de Chaligny A chance to visit this private garden surrounding a traditional Vendée logis. Formal layout, with lawns and square flower-filled beds, plus fruit trees, rose garden and vegetable plot. 2-6pm.	Logis de Chaligny, Sainte-Pexine
Until 13 July	La Légende Richelieu Exhibition on the life of the powerful Cardinal, who was once bishop of the Vendée town of Luçon. Divided into five themes: man of war, man of the Church, man of State, the private figure, and the popularisation of Richelieu’s image. It will be illustrated by romantic engravings, 19th-century paintings, films, comic books and cartoon films	Historial, Les Lucs-sur-Boulogne
Until...	Joël Robuchon, photographe Exhibition of images by the 19th-century photographer who depicted town and village life throughout the Vendee and neighbouring regions.	Logis de la Chabotterie, St-Sulpice-le-Verdon.
Until mid Sept	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 the much-hyped chariot-racing, and faithful recreations of 18th- and 19th-century villages. 1-30 June Tues & Thurs-Sun 10am-7pm 25€, children 14.50 €. Under-5s free.	Puy du Fou, Les Epesses, nr Les Herbiers (tel: 02 51 64 11 11).

1 -10 June

Jardins de Chaligny A chance to visit this private garden surrounding a traditional Vendée logis. Formal layout, with lawns and square flower-filled beds, plus fruit trees, rose garden and vegetable plot. 2-6pm.

Logis de Chaligny, Sainte-Pexine

early June- early Sept		Cinéscénie Spectacular son-et-lumiere show, retelling the history of the Vendee. June 10.30pm. 23€, children 15€		Puy du Fou, Les Epesses, near Les Herbiers (tel: 02 51 64 11 11).
early June	Les Foulées du Gois The annual running race across the causeway linking Noirmoutier island to the mainland. International athletes take part, the cream of them competing in in the “Course des As”, leaving the island when the water is already over the road and finishing with it around their knees. First race starts 3.45pm; “Course des As” (top international runners) starts 9pm.		Beauvoir-sur-Mer near Challans
14 June	Grande journée des 30 ans A day of special events to mard the 30th anniversary of the Puy du Fou show.		Grand Parc, Puy-du-Fou, Les Epesses, near Les Herbiers
Mid June	Festival Simenon All sorts of entertainment in connection with the creator of Inspector Maigret, including film-screenings, an exhibition of police cartoons and a parade of old cars. (Georges Simenon lived for a time in Les Sables; he created Inspector Maigret in 1932).		Various venues, Les Sables-d’Olonne (tel : 02 51 96 85 85)
mid June- early Sept	Sur les Pas d’Amandine New season of performances in the woodland hideout used by the Vendeans during the 18th-century Wars of the Vendee. Sun, 3.30pm & 5,30pm. 7€, children 3.50€; family (2+2 or more) 18€.		Refuge de Grasla, St Denis-la-Chevasse
late June	Fête de la Musique A day-long nationwide event, with concerts and street performances of music everywhere.
21-22 June	Salon Bio “Naturez vous” Healthy organic produce on sale from 50 producers, and advice on running an eco-friendly home or business.		St-Jean-de-Monts
22 June	Paddleboard event Lying on their surfboards, paddling with their hands, competitors make their way from La Tranche across to the Ile de Ré.		La Tranche-sur-Mer to the Ile de Ré
Late June	Les Nuits de Richard Coeur de Lion Wonderful opportunity to wander round the ruined fortress at night, with information panels (in English), sound effects and amazing lighting techniques.		Talmont St Hilaire
Late June	Journée du Patrimoine de Pays / Journée des Moulins Some of the county’s smaller heritage sites have special events throughout the day. It is also French national Mills Day, so many wind- and watermills are open to the public.		Throughout the Vendée. (tel: 02 41 18 50 70)
late June	Estivales de la Rivière A season of storytelling, music and other events on the Sèvre Nantaise river. 9pm. Admission free		Maison de la Riviere, St-Georges-de-Montaigu, nr Montaigu (tel: 02 51 46 44 67
20 June	Feux de la St-Jean The festival of St-John the Baptist is celebrated with huge bonfires. There is a large one in this village, after nightfall.		St-Paul-Mont-Pénit, near Aizenay.

The Conseil-Général’s website also has a regularly updated calendar of events.
To view it, click here
A quarterly publication called Musique-Danse lists many concerts of all kinds in the Vendée. You can find the latest version by following a link from here

2008

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