What's on in the Vendee: September events

ANGELA BIRD'S

The
Vendée

September 2009

WHAT'S ON IN THE VENDEE

(entries in red indicate new additions)

	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. 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 6 Sept	“Coiffes et costumes de Vendée” An exhibition of local costumes and head-dresses. Thurs-Sun 5-7.30pm.	Le Vircouèt, Les Conches, Longeville-sur-Mer, near La Tranche.
Until 12 SeptSept	Cinéscénie Spectacular son-et-lumiere show, retelling the history of the Vendee. June 10.30pm. 24€, children 15€	Puy du Fou, Les Epesses, near Les Herbiers (tel: 02 51 64 11 11).
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 10am-7pm 26€-29€, children 16 €. Under-5s free.	Puy du Fou, Les Epesses, nr Les Herbiers (tel: 02 51 64 11 11).
Until 27 Sept	La Mer pour Mémoire Exhibition about archaeological sites that lie below the Atlantic. On show are items from wrecks from 16^th to 19^th centuries, showing the daily life of those who went to sea. From 1 Sept: Tues-Sun 10am-6pm. 5€, children free (including the rest of the Nantes Chateau museum, 8€, children free).	Château des Ducs de Bretagne, Nantes (tel: 08 11 46 46 44)
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 10am-1pm & 3-6pm; from 1 Sept Wed 2-6pm; Sat, Sun 3-7pm. Admission free.	Château d’Ardelay, Les Herbiers
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 Italy (supposed to be the home of the Virgin Mary, transported from the Middle East). The replica is in a room behind the altar, and has an astonishing altar and hanging easten-style lamps. Admission free.	Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, La Flocellière, nr Les Herbiers
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
1 Sept - 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 mid Sept	Brocante Weekly brocante fair in a square near the Hotel de Ville. 9am-6.30pm.	Place et Jardin de la Liberté, Les Sables-d’Olonne
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 Benin, which has close ties with the Vendée.	Challans
4 Sept	Journée de la Chasse Events on a hunting theme, in the grounds of the Logis de la Chabotterie. From 2pm (special 45-min display of an 18thC hunt). 3€, children free.	Logis de la Chabotterie, St Sulpice le Verdon.
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. 9.30pm (entertainment from 8pm).	Le Ruisseau de la Chaussée, La Chevrolière, near St-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu (44)
6 Sept	Le Préveil Games and toys made of natural materials, sea-shanties, traditional crafts and dancing. From 10am.	Le Vircouèt, Les Conches, Longeville-sur-Mer, near La Tranche.
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 3pm.	Montaigu
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)
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. 10am-6pm.	Lac de la Chausselière, La Guyonnière near Montaigu (tel: 02 51 06 39 17).
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. 10am (meet 9.45am). 7€, children 5 €; under 6s free. GPS ref: 46.54591N 1.34247W	L’Aubonniere, near Chaillé-sur-les-Ormeaux; information and booking from Maison des Libellules, Chaillé
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
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.
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 2pm/. 6€, children 3€.	Maison de la Vie Rurale. La Flocelliere, nr Pouzauges
13 Sept	12 Salon des Collectionneurs Annual collectors’ fair.	Fontenay le-Comte
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
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
Late Sept	Fête de la Fressure Feast of the boiled blood pudding, so dear to the hearts of Vendeans everywhere.	Réaumur
19 Sept	Concert: Trio Spiritus Clara Izambert, harp; Zonia Laziz, alto; Yoann Couix, flute. 9pm. 16 euros	Prieuré de Grammont, St-Prouant, nr Chantonnay (tel: 02 51 64 00 90).
19, 20 Sept	Journées du Patrimoine A weekend of special openings and events at heritage sites all over the Vendée – and throughout France.. Times vary; information available from early Sept from Conseil General in La Roche, and tourist offices.	Throughout France
19 Sept- 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 nearby Bay of Bourgneuf were filmed over three years. The exhibition includes interviews with them and scenes of their activity.	Ecomusee du Daviaud, La Barre de Monts, nr St Jean de Monts
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
20 Sept	Marche de l’Espoir Walks of various lengths, starting from 6.45am to 10.15am. A pot of jam for every participant, and plenty of unusual jams to try. Collection made of satchels, backpacks, dictionaries (French), wool and iknitting-needles for children in a French-speaking African country.	La Châtaigneraie
20 Sept	Marché Bio Organic foods on sale. 10am-6pm.	Maison du Petit-Poitou, Chaillé-les-Marais (tel : 02 51 56 77 30)
25, 26 Sept (NB slightly different dates)	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)
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 (tel : 02 51 42 19 39)
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 (Loire Atlantique)
26, 27 Sept	Naturel’Mont Exhibition on sustainable develop\ent, eco-friendly buildings, organic foods etc.	St-Jean-de-Monts
27 Sept	Vélocéane Family biking event on cycleways around the Apremont area.	Palluau, Maché and Apremont area, near Aizenay
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.

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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