ANGELA BIRD'S
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The |
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September
2009
WHAT'S ON IN THE VENDEE
(entries in red indicate new
additions)
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PLEASE NOTE This website is really 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. |
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.
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Until 6 Sept |
“Coiffes et costumes de Vendée” An
exhibition of local costumes and head-dresses. Thurs-Sun |
Le Vircouèt, Les Conches, Longeville-sur-Mer, near La Tranche. |
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Until 12 Sept |
Cinéscénie Spectacular son-et-lumiere show, retelling the
history of the Vendee. June |
Puy du Fou, Les Epesses, near Les Herbiers (tel: 02 51 64 11 11). |
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Until 26 Sept |
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
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Puy du Fou, Les Epesses, nr Les Herbiers |
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Until 27 Sept |
La Mer pour Mémoire Exhibition about
archaeological sites that lie below the |
Château des Ducs de Bretagne, Nantes (tel: 08 11 46 46 44) |
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Until 27 Sept |
Les Herbiers: Photographs by Bernard
Descamps Exhibition of images by this nationally famous
Paris photographer, who has spent 18 months visiting and re-visiting the area
so as to document Les Herbiers’ curious blend of industrial and rural life,
the blend of modern and traditional, classic and contemporary. Until 31 Aug, daily |
Château d’Ardelay, |
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Until 30 Sept |
La Chapelle Notre-Dame de Lorette et la
Santa Casa In an extraordinary little chapel, in the
heart of the village, a series of panels explain how a benefactor came to
commission a replica of the « Santa Casa » in |
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, La Flocellière, nr Les Herbiers |
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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 10-7.
Admission to museum 8 euros, children free. |
Historial de la Vendee, Les Lucs-sur-Boulogne |
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1 Sept - |
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. |
Pointe de l’Aiguillon, Aiguillon-sur-Mer. |
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Until mid Sept |
Brocante Weekly
brocante fair in a square near the Hotel de Ville. |
Place et Jardin de la Liberté, Les Sables-d’Olonne |
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early Sept |
Foire des Minées Annual
commercial fair in the centre of town that is a shop window for local
businesses. This year there is a strong emphasis on the west African country
of |
Challans |
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4 Sept |
Journée de la Chasse Events
on a hunting theme, in the grounds of the Logis de la Chabotterie. From |
Logis de la Chabotterie, |
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5 Sept |
Cinésite: open-air
movie screening of a 2007 feature film called Le
Renard et l’Enfant (The Fox and the Child), about the
relationship between a little girl and a fox. Shown in a nature reserve on
the banks of the Lac de Grand-Lieu. |
Le Ruisseau de la Chaussée, La Chevrolière, near
St-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu (44) |
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6 Sept |
Le Préveil Games
and toys made of natural materials, sea-shanties, traditional crafts and
dancing. From |
Le Vircouèt, Les Conches, Longeville-sur-Mer, near La Tranche. |
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10 Sept |
“La Montacutaine” 10th
edition of this running event, with 10km and 5km routes through the old
town. Intending participants must have
written note from a doctor certifying their fitness. From |
Montaigu |
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11-13 Sept |
Festival Face et Si Series of concerts by rising stars in the worlds of
rock, jazz and comedy, given in an open-air concert hall. |
Mouilleron-le-Captif, near La Roche-sur-Yon
(tel : 08 25 82 88 42) |
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13 Sept |
Journée Nationale de Modélisme
Navale A national day for model-boat-makers to get out
their treasures. Exhibition and launching of radio-controlled boats of all
types. |
Lac de la Chausselière, La Guyonnière near Montaigu (tel: 02 51 06
39 17). |
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13 Sept |
Balade enchantée A
most unusual and entertaining nature walk, with tri-lingual guide and actress
Fabienne Martineau-De Jong. Dressed in
wafty, water-sprite-type robes, she leads her audience on a 2h30m promenade
performance through the wonderful scenery of the Yon valley, beside rushing
waters and granite boulders. Wear
tough shoes for the 2km walk over rough terrain. Not suitable for the
disabled, or for pushchairs. |
L’Aubonniere, near Chaillé-sur-les-Ormeaux;
information and booking from Maison des Libellules, Chaillé |
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13 Sept |
Vide-Grenier and Vide-Grange Emptying
of attics and barns should produce plenty of interesting stuff for sale,
alongside village entertainment. Last year there were 160 stands, covering
1km. Admission free. |
St-Martin-des-Fontaines, near Luçon |
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13 Sept |
Vide-grenier, brocante, Marché
fermier A combination of antiques and car-boot stalls, with
farm produce on sale too. |
Puyravault, near Chaillé-les-Marais. |
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13 Sept |
Festival des Jardiniers A
day of tastings and advice on all things horticultural at this traditional
farm museum, with an emphasis on “forgotten” vegetables. From |
Maison de la Vie Rurale. La Flocelliere, nr Pouzauges |
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13 Sept |
12 Salon des Collectionneurs Annual
collectors’ fair. |
Fontenay le-Comte |
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13 Sept |
Journée de la Chasse A
day of entertainment and information on hunting, as carried out in France -
which is also the subject of the Chabotterie’s 2009 exhibition. |
Logis de la Chabotterie, St Su;pice-le-Verdon |
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18-20 Sept |
Festival des Grandes Marées Festival
of spring tides held in the town and on the beach. |
La Bernerie-en-Retz, near Pornic |
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Late Sept |
Fête de la Fressure Feast
of the boiled blood pudding, so dear to the hearts of Vendeans everywhere. |
Réaumur |
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19 Sept |
Concert: Trio Spiritus Clara
Izambert, harp; Zonia Laziz, alto;
Yoann Couix, flute. |
Prieuré de Grammont, St-Prouant, nr Chantonnay (tel: 02 51 64 00
90). |
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19, 20 Sept |
Journées du Patrimoine A
weekend of special openings and events at heritage sites all over the Vendée
– and throughout |
Throughout |
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19 Sept- |
“2 ou 3 choses que je |
Ecomusee du Daviaud, La Barre de Monts, nr St Jean de Monts |
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mid Sept |
Caval’Océane Equestrian
event on the sands at low tide, with show jumping, pony rides, horse-ball,
gymkhana events and a stunt-riding show. On the beach. Admission free. |
St-Jean-de-Monts |
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20 Sept |
Marche de l’Espoir Walks
of various lengths, starting from |
La Châtaigneraie |
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20 Sept |
Marché Bio Organic
foods on sale. |
Maison du Petit-Poitou, Chaillé-les-Marais (tel : 02 51 56 77
30) |
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25,
26 Sept |
Daisy Daisy -
An evening of Old Time
Music Hall songs, "MAYBE
IT'S BECAUSE I'M A LONDONER", “ANY OLD IRON", "LET'S ALL GO
DOWN THE STRAND”, "LAMBETH WALK", "BURLINGTON BERTIE", “OH,
OH, ANTONIO", “OH, MR PORTER", "MY OLD MAN SAID FOLLOW THE
VAN", “DAISY DAISY"... By Exit Stage Left/Coté Jardin, under the
direction of Theresa Ford. Bar opens 7.30pm; show at 8.30pm.
12euro50, under-12s free. (Profits in aid of sick children) |
Théâtre Belle Epine, La
Chataigneraie; tickets from La Chataigneraie tourist office (tel: 02 51
51 34 20) |
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25
Sept |
La Simphonie du Marais Concertos and operatic arias by Handel, performed by Hugo Reyne’s
well-known baroque ensemble, with tenor Jeffrey Thompson. 8.30pm. 15 euros, children 12 euros. |
Eglise de Rocheservière |
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26
Sept |
La Nuit des Fées Festival Concerts, games, craft market and other entertainment in and
around the town’s ancient market-hall. From 3pm; admission from12€,
children 4€ |
Clisson ( |
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26, 27 Sept |
Naturel’Mont Exhibition
on sustainable develop\ent, eco-friendly buildings, organic foods etc. |
St-Jean-de-Monts |
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27 Sept |
Vélocéane Family
biking event on cycleways around the Apremont area. |
Palluau, Maché and
Apremont area, near Aizenay |
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late Sept |
Raid des Chaussées A gruelling annual race on bike and
on foot along, above and through the river Sèvre Nantaise. |
Starts St-Laurent-sur-Sèvre; finishes Tiffauges. |
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