ANGELA
BIRD'S
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May 2008
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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Until18 May |
Chassé le Naturel Exhibition of modern art from the FRAC (regional art
collection), on the theme of nature. |
1. Ecomusée du Daviaud, La
Barre-de-Monts. 2. Ecomuéee Milcendeau-Jean Yole, Soullans. |
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17 Apr- |
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, |
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 |
Nesmy, near La Roche-sur-Yon (tel: 02 51 07 67 42). |
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1-4 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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1-4
May |
Festival des Jeux Fun for children, with all sorts of games,
traditional and modern. |
La Tranche-sur-Mer |
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3 May |
Les 100km de Chavagnes. Running races for all ages, including a North-Vendée marathon. |
Chavagnes-en-Paillers, near La Roche-sur-Yon |
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4 May |
Championnat
de Vendée Cyclisme A day of cycle-racing. |
St-Paul-Mont-Pénit, near Aizenay |
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early May |
Puces Islaises Flea market, with more than 100 dealers setting up shop
around the picturesque village church. |
Place de la Mairie, Ile-d’Olonne,
near Les Sables-d’Olonne (tel : 02 51 95 47 48). |
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Until
13 July |
La Légende Richelieu Exhibition on the life of the powerful Cardinal,
who was once bishop of the Vendée town of |
Historial, Les Lucs-sur-Boulogne |
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May to... |
Joël Robuchon, photographe Exhibition of images by the 19th-century photographer who depicted
town and village life throughout the Vendee and neighbouring regions. |
Logis de la Chabotterie, |
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Various venues, St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
(tel: 02 51 55 03 66). |
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10 May |
Fête de la
Bonnotte Festival for Noirmoutier island’s
ultra-special early potato. The tubers
are lifted in the morning, there’s a family bike-ride int he afternoon, and
an evening meal with grilled sardines – and bonnotte potatoes – accompanied
by seashanties and folk-dancing. |
Noirmoutier island |
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17, 18 May |
Fête du Nautisme |
Throughout the Vendée. Brochures from tourist offices |
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17 May |
Nuit des Musées Special open days 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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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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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 |
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30 May- |
Jardins de Chaligny A chance to visit this private garden
surrounding a traditional Vendée logis. Formal layout, with lawns and square flower-filled
beds, plus fruit trees, rose garden and vegetable
plot. |
Logis de Chaligny, Sainte-Pexine |
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