ANGELA
BIRD'S
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May 2009
WHAT'S ON IN THE VENDEE
(entries in red
indicate new additions)
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PLEASE NOTE This website is really just a supplement to Angela Bird’s guidebook, The Vendée (left), which gives full details |
However it is always |
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Until 3 May |
Championnat de France Féminin A leg of
the national champiionship for lady golfers. |
La Domangere GC, Nesmy, near
La Roche sur Yon |
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Until 3 May |
Gaston Planet: plasticien Exhibition
devoted to a Vendean artist, exponent of “art brut”. He rubbed mattress
ticking onto seaweed-covered rocks, painted on cardboard boxes and on old
doors, and created bizarre, colourful characters – many of which are on
permanent display in the Musee de l’Abbaye Ste Croix, in Les Sables d’Olonne. |
Ecomusee du Daviaud, La Barre de Monts, nr St Jean de Monts |
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Until 7 June |
L’envers du décor: collections
inédites Exhibition of items that have been stored out of
visitors’ sight since the opening of the Historial in 2006. |
Historial de la
Vendée, Les Lucs-sur-Boulogne |
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Until |
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 |
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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). |
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3 May |
Vendée Vélo A
fun cycling event, with various circuits from 17km to 75km. |
Throughout the Vendée |
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9 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. |
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early May |
Fête du Nautisme Seaside resorts and river- and canalside villages offer the chance to try watersports such as sailing, sand-yachting, diving, surfing, sea-angling, whale-boat racing, rowing, canoeing and wave-ski. |
Throughout the Vendée. Brochures from tourist offices |
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16 May |
Nuit des Musées Special evening events at many museums nationwide |
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Late May- |
Printemps
des Arts Well-known annual festival of baroque music, with
concerts throughout the Pays de la Loire. Full programme to be arranged. |
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21 May |
JOUR DE L’ASCENSION |
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21-24 May |
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 |
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23 May |
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 |
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23 May |
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Beach, |
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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, |
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Various venues, St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
(tel: 02 51 55 03 66). |
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30 May- |
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 |
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31 May |
Fête Champêtre Open-air entertainment, including giant inflatables for adults and
children, demonstrations by local sports clubs and dance schools, craft
stalls, beer tent (with English and French beers, wine etc), food stalls - including
Indian curry – and a hilarious human “baby foot” competition. Evening entertainment
from a live band, 'Jamphonic', a group of French, English and American
musicians living in the area. |
Puyravault, near Luçon |
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