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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