What's on in the Vendee: May events

ANGELA BIRD'S

The
Vendée

May 2010
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.

Until 13 June 2010	Soldats du feu: les Sapeurs-Pompiers de la Vendée (1813-2009) Exhibition on almost a century of the Vendée’s fire service, whose members are revered by all. Tues-Sun 10am-6pm (from 1 Apr until 7pm). Admission 8€ (includes all of museum), children free.	Historial de la Vendée, Les Lucs-sur-Boulogne.
Until late Sept 2010	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 26€-29€, children 16 €. Under-5s free.	Puy du Fou, Les Epesses, nr Les Herbiers (tel : 02 51 64 11 11).

1 May

FETE DU TRAVAIL
Labour Day (public holiday)

1 May	Semi marathon de Nesmy Half-marathon and relay races round the village of Nesmy. Those wishing to race should present a doctor’s certificate attesting to their fitness to run. From 8.30am.	Nesmy, near La Roche-sur-Yon (tel: 02 51 07 67 42).
8 May	ARMISTICE 1945 (public holiday)
early May	Fête de la Bonnotte The famous early potato of Noirmoutier has its day. Lifted in the early morning, it will be the subject of meals and tastings throughout the day.	Noirmoutier, various venues.
8 May 2010	Le Noura Fête ses 40 Ans Concert by a well-known local choir, 75-strong, directed by Chantal Gauducheau. The programme includes Mozart’s B Minor Mass. 6pm. Admission 15€.	Les Atlantes, Les Sables-d’Olonne
13 May 2010	JOUR DE L’ASCENSION Ascension Day (public holiday)
13-16 May 2010	Quatre Jours en Chantonnay. Four-day walking festival, with non-competitive events for walkers of all standards, and even Friday night-time rambles..	Various venues, Chantonnay (tel : 02 51 94 46 51)
15 May 2010	Nuit des Musées Special evening events at many museums nationwide
mid May- 28 June 2010	Printemps des Arts Well-known annual festival of baroque music, with concerts throughout the Pays de la Loire. Full programme to be arranged.
15 May 2010	Les 100km de Vendée and Vendée Marathon. Running races for all ages, including a North-Vendée marathon.	Chavagnes-en-Paillers, near La Roche-sur-Yon
18 May 2010	Concert: Scarlatti – 7 last sonatas The Simphonie du Marais, with Hugo Reyne, director and flute. 9pm.	Parish church, Nalliers, near Luçon
24 May 2010	LUNDI DE PENTECOTE Whit Monday (public holiday)

Late May	Fête des Roses Admire 950 varieties of rose, and try all sorts of rose-flavoured products. 10am-7pm. 2.90€, children under 13 free.	La Roseraie de Vendée, St-Révérend, near St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (tel : 02 51 55 24 03)
late May	Saint-Jazz-sur-Vie Annual three-day jazz festival, with concerts at La Conserverie and some street entertainment	Various venues, St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (tel: 02 51 55 03 66).

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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