What's on in the Vendee: October events

ANGELA BIRD'S

The
Vendée

October 2009

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 18 Oct	Benjamin Rabier, illustrateur Vendéen Exhibition devoted to an artist born in La Roche-sur-Yon who enjoyed great success in the 1930s with his comic-strip characters such as Gédéon, the duck. Rabier was also the creator of the ultra-famous “Vache-qui-rit” (“Laughing Cow”) cheese logo. Tues-Sun 10-6. Admission to museum 8 euros, children free.	Historial de Vendée, Les Lucs sur Boulogne.
Until 30 Nov	Migration time Ornitholoigists gather at strategic points to witness the countless birds migrating south in great flocks for the winter. Members of the LPO (Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux) count the numbers at the Pointe de L’Aiguillon. Last year they clocked 600,000 of more than 70 species. The public are welcomed on Sat and Sun afternoons, and will be able to ask questions of the experts gathered there.	Pointe de l’Aiguillon, Aiguillon-sur-Mer.
Until 6 Dec	“2 ou 3 choses que je sais du sel” Exhibition about what it takes to become a salt-maker, or “saunier”. Fifteen of the salt-makers from the Bay ofBourgneuf, nearby, were filmed over three years, and the exhibition includes a lot of interviews with them and scenes of their activity.	Ecomusee du Daviaud, La Barre de Monts, nr St Jean de Monts
early Oct	Fête de la Citrouille Grand pumpkin festival and competition Record-holder is one weighing 553kg. Admission 3.50€	Le Potager Extraordinaire, La Mothe-Achard, nr Les Sables.
mid Oct	Fête de la Châtaigne Walks and autumn tastings, on the theme of chestnuts..	Maison de la Vie Rurale, St-Michel-Mont-Mercure, near Pouzauges (tel: 02 51 57 77 14).
mid Oct	Fête des Vendanges Annual wine fair, with brocante fair attached. 7am-6pm. Admission free.	Pissotte, near Fontenay le Comte
late Oct	Foire aux Marrons Annual chestnut festival, also with mushroom displays and antiques fair – expect delicious smells of grilled chestnuts to waft over the proceedings. 9am-7pm.	La Caillère-St-Hilaire (tel: 02 51 51 59 93).

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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