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VENDÉE
Sun, sea and sand three words which are often used to sum up this region. Stretching from the mouth of the Loire in the north almost to the resort of La Rochelle in the south.
It's an area popular for its coastline and reputation for sunshine. But there are many other attractions simply waiting to be discovered. A number of family-friendly resorts, St Jean de Monts, Longeville-sur-Mer, Jard-sur-Mer, La Tranche-sur-Mer, La Faute-sur-Mer, Bretignolles and the largest Les Sables d'Olonne, have grown up along the sandy shoreline, offering water-based activities for all ages. Inland, small towns and villages nestle in a patchwork landscape the Vendée `bocage' offering tranquility yet also easy access to the coast. A feature of this countryside is the typical Vendéen house long and low with traditional pan-tiled roof. Here, the centres of Luçon, Fontenay-le-Comte and Chantonnay offer a wide range of facilities for the holidaymaker. Today's tranquil rural scene belies a turbulent past, however. At Le Puy du Fou, near Cholet, a violent chapter in the history of the Vendée is commemorated, bearing witness to the massacre, in 1793, of thousands of royalist supporters from the region by the Republican authorities. Along the southern boundary of the Vendée, inland from La Rochelle, lies the delightful Marais Poitevin, an area of fenland criss-crossed by canals, many navigable. This watery paradise, known locally as the Venise Verte Green Venice is protected by regional park status. The best way to explore this wildlife haven is by boat and these can be hired from several local centres. Just outside this region, the historic cities of Nantes, to the north, and Poitiers, to the south are worthy of a visit.
main pic St. Gilles, De Croix De Vie
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