ANGELA BIRD'S
|
|
The |
|
June 2012
WHAT'S ON IN THE VENDEE
(entries in red indicate new additions)
For
Vendée vide-greniers, I have made a selection from
this excellent specialised
website.
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
Next in 2013 |
Fête de la Meunerie Wonderful family days in which this attractive
village steps back in time as 800 locals carry out old crafts and traditions.
(It
is held on Whit Sunday and Monday, in odd-numbered years, alternating
with a fantastic night-time spectacle in even-numbered years.) |
Nieul-sur-l’Autise, nr Fontenay-le-Comte |
|
Until 30 Sept 2012 |
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, 10am-7pm; from 1-30 June Tues &
Thurs-Sun 10am-7pm 27€, children
19 €. Under-5s free. |
Puy du Fou, Les Epesses, nr Les Herbiers |
|
1 June 2012 |
Les Folies du
Chateau Evening of medieval-style events and eating around the
castle and waterfront. |
Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile, Noirmoutier island |
|
9 June-15 Sept 2012 |
Cinéscénie Spectacular
night-time son-et-lumiere
show, re-telling the history of the Vendee. Usually Sat & Sun
nights, from around 10.30pm. June 10.30pm. 25€, children 16€ |
Puy du Fou, Les Epesses, near Les Herbiers (tel: 02 51 64 11 11). |
|
10 June 2012 |
Les Foulées du Gois The
annual running race across the causeway linking Noirmoutier island to the
mainland. Many international athletes are among 1,500 runners to take part.
The cream of them compete in in the “Course des As”, leaving the island when
the water is already over the road and finishing with it around their knees. |
Beauvoir-sur-Mer, near Challans |
|
10 June 2012 |
Journée Vannerie et Dentelle
A day of demonstrations by basket-weavers and lacemakers at this
former farm on the outskirts of Challans, not a centre for the
“Autrefois…Challans” team who organise events to keep old traditions alive. |
Ferme
de la Terriere, 19 Rue Maurice Fillonneau, Challans(tel : 02
51 68 19 10) |
|
mid June 2012 |
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 95 94 12) |
|
16 June 2012 |
“Au dela des Horizons…”
Concert by the Orchestra National des Pays de la Loire of music by
Tchaikovsky and by Henri Dutilleux. |
Les Atlantes, Les Sables d’Olonne (Réservations Office de Tourisme des Sables d'Olonne 02 51 96 85 78) |
|
16 June 2012 |
Trapeze A ballet to music composed by Prokofiev
during a summer stay in Croix-de-Vie in the 1920s. |
St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie |
|
17 June 2012 |
Fete des Lumas Annual snail-fest, with brocante fair, too. From 7.30am. |
St
Flaive-des-Loups,
nr La Mothe-Achard. |
|
18 June 2012 |
Mayerling Live relay from
Covent Garden of Kenneth MacMillan’s ballet. 8.30pm. Admission 12 euros. |
Cinema Camera 5,21 Avenue de Villebois, Montaigu (tel : 02 51
46 46 15). |
|
21 June 2012 |
Fête de la
Musique The annual day when music-making is everywhere, in
streets, concert halls etc. The festival tends to run on for a few days, so
expect many musical events during the week. |
Throughout
France |
|
23 June 2012 |
Feux de la St-Jean Bonfire and fireworks to celebrate the feast day of
St John the Baptist. |
Le Petit Moulin (windmill), Chateauneuf, near Challans |
|
23, 24 June 2012 |
Raid Mélusine Annual sporting
event, where teams of three competitors undertake seven different sections:
mountain-bike; bike and run; canoe; archery; orienteering; abseiling; and
shooting. |
Vouvant and Forest of Mervent, near Fontenay-le-Comte |
|
24 June 2012 |
Puces Islaises Flea market, with more than 160 dealers setting up
shop around the picturesque village church. 7am-6pm |
Ile-d’Olonne, near Les Sables d’Olonne |
|
28 June-1 July 2012 |
Salsa Swim Festival An auditorium for
dance shows, on the beach; food halls along the seafront; and a chance for
anyone to have a crack at salsa dancing. |
28 June -1 July 2012 |
|
Late June late
July |
Les Soldes / Sales! This is the official period for which French shops
are authorised to hold sales.
Make the most of it! |
Throughout France |
|
30 June-1 July 2012 |
Les
Marinades A
weekend of water-sporting activities, when the resort’s various sailing,
surfing, canoeing and other clubs make themselves known to the public. Look
out for the picturesque Olonnois sailing boats that should be on view out at
sea. |
Les Sables-d’Olonne |
|
30 June-1 July 2012 |
Raid
du Kite-surf Annual
excursion from La Tranche to the Ile de Ré and back. |
La Tranche sur Mer |
|
The Conseil-Général’s
website also has a regularly updated calendar of events on
its site www.vendee.fr, under “Agenda”.
|
JAN FEB MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC
| index page |
| activities |
beaches | calendar | cottage rental |
|guidebook |
guidebook update | history |
| introduction to the vendee | links | markets |
| practical info | property-owners' pages | restaurants | themed pages | wines |
|
mail webmaster by returning to the bottom of the
index page |