Vendee and its villages

The Vendee is a department in the Pays de la Loire region in the west of France. It is well known for its long, wide beaches and seaside landscapes. This is one of the features that makes the Vendee the most visited region by the French. Its coastline has 160 km of sandy beaches said to be relatively undiscovered and is one of the least explored, exploited and cleanest in France. We love the beach resort/harbour town of Les Sables d’Olonne as well as the quaint seaside villages of St Gilles Croix de Vie and St Jean de Monts and are to discover what others refer to as the best islands in France: Ile de Noirmoutier and Ile dYeu.

The fact that this area has the second highest number of days of sunshine in the whole of France helps this seaside lifestyle.

This region was featured as the start of the 2011 and now will be the 2018 Tour de France grand depart and the medieval theme park, Le Puy du Fou, one of the top 10 most visited tourist attractions in France is located there. The Vendee has a lot of history with many 10-12th century castle remains and churches. People from the Vendee region are well known as the friendliest in France and the go ahead local industry/economy makes it a great area for peole to live.

The best part are some of the interesting villages like:


Pouzauges : is the village we have our house in. It sits on top of a hill overlooking the countryside. At the top of the hill is the ruins of a 12th century castle. The Saint Jacques church located just down from the castle ruins and our house also dates back to the 1200s. There is also an older 11th century church located on the outskirts of town in 'Old Pouzauges'.  It is also 10 minutes away from Le Puy du Fou.

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Vouvant :  is one of the 'most beautiful village in France' and sits on a hill in a pretty setting overlooking a river. Still partially enclosed by ramparts, Vouvant is entered through original gates in the walls. Within the village, narrow streets are lined with medieval houses which lead to the main square and Notre Dame church. On the edge of town are a 14th century stone bridge and the Tower of Melusine which is what remains of an old chateau. The surrounding countryside contains forests and lakes.

Apremont: is a picturesque village which sits on a river and clings to the rocky sides of a valley. It has a Renaissance castle, a large lake with a warm sandy beach and a floral parc. A number of the houses in the village were reconstructed in the 20th century to resemble traditional medieval houses that once occupied the village.

Le Boupere : is where we have our investment property. It is a quaint village whose main feature is the fortified church dating back to the 11th century.

St Michel Mont Mercure : sits at 290 meters above sea level making it the highest point in Vendee. The village houses the 193-stepped tower of the Eglise St-Michel, the late 19th century church with a large copper statue of St Michel the archangel, the patron saint of high places. The steeple can be seen for miles around notably at night when it is beautifully and brightly lit.

Talmont-St-Hilaire: formerly a seaport, is known for the massive ruined historic fortress built by Richard the Lionheart, who mostly stayed at Talmont’s surrounding forests for hunting or fighting.

St Gilles Croix de Vie : is situated on the coastand is a busy port and lively town with a long wide stretch of beautiful sandy beach.

Les Chatelliers-Chateaumer : is a town founded by joining two parishes. Chateaumur has a 12th century castle which is surrounded by walls with cute houses joined to it on the inside as well as a donjon in the centre. You enter via a stone archway. The top of the hill of Chatelliers has a church and graveyard wtih a granite cross and bronze statue of the Virgin.
 
 

Mallievre :  is a very small village with narrow streets, stone houses and ancient washing ponds

 



Tranche sur Mer : is located on 13 km fine sandy beach. Its white houses and narrow lanes give the village a Mediterranean feel.

Clisson : Just southeast of Nantes and situated on the confluence of two rivers, Clisson has its imposing ruins, parts of which date from the thirteenth century. There are picturesque parks on the banks of the rivers. The river is crossed by an old gothic bridge and a fine modern viaduct.

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