What's on in the Vendee: July events

ANGELA BIRD'S

The
Vendée

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 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.

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 (tel : 02 51 64 11 11).
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 2012Sept	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”.

For brocante fairs and vide-greniers, check out this specialised website.
If you wish to see those in another département, simply change the Vendee code (85) at the end of the link to that of your chosen département: i.e. 44 for Loire-Atlantique; 49 for Maine-et-Loire etc.

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