During Sept Bud Bud Contest National surfing competition
Longeville-sur-Mer

 

Until
mid Sept Equestrian displays Demonstrations are given at the town-centre National Stud establishment. Daily:  Haras National, Bd des Etats Unis, La Roche-sur-Yon

Until 21 Sept Le Temps du Silence Exhibition about monastic life. Prieuré de Grammont, St-Prouant, near Chantonnay

 

4-6 Sept Les Nuits de Richard Coeur de Lion Wonderful opportunity to wander round the ruined fortress at night, with information panels (in English), sound effects, and amazing lighting techniques. At nightfall. 7€, children 3€; under-7s free. Talmont-St-Hilaire

 

Until 19 Oct La Vendée sous l’oeil de Joël Robuchon Exhibition of images by the 19th-century photographer who depicted town and village life throughout the Vendee and neighbouring regions.
Logis de la Chabotterie,
St-Sulpice-le-Verdon.

 

2 Sept Histoire d’Abel, histoire de paleontologie Talk on paleolithic times int he region by Michel Brunet (5pm), followed by a concert by egregor vocal in the village church. Part of the local Festival Musique et Patrimoine. 6€ for all events, children free. Memomblet: ( nr Pouzauges) tel: 02 51 52 62 37)

 

5-7 Sept Festival Face et Si Series of concerts by rising stars in the pop music world, given in a temporary concert hall. Mouilleron-le-Captif, near La Roche-sur-Yon (tel : 08 25 82 88 42)

5-9 Sept Foire des Minées Annual commercial fair in the centre of town.

Challans

5, 6, 12, 13 Sept Richelieu: l’ultime combat Promenade performances on this year’s big theme of Cardinal Richelieu and his time as bishop of Lucon. 9pm & 10.30pm. 14€, children 7€. Place Sochet-des-Touches, Luçon

 

7-11 Sept Lumières sur Richelieu Open-air spectacle, with lights around the town’s cathedral. Nightfall. Free outside; 5€ inside the cathedral. Booking opens 19 Aug. Cathedral square, Lucon

 

20 Sept La Flamme du Souvenir A homage to the courage of the “poilus”, or French infantry soldiers of World War I, in the town that is the birthplace of France’s great WWI politician Georges Clemenceau. 9.30pm. 5€. Mouilleron-en-Pareds (tel : 02 51 36 93 60).
Booking opens 26 Aug.

 

20, 21 Sept Journées du Patrimoine A weekend of special openings and events at heritage sites all over the Vendée – and throughout France. There is, for example, a possibility of a special event at St-Jean-de-Monts to show off the town’s usually unseen collection of art; and also special guided tours of the picturesque village of Apremont. Times vary; information available from early Sept from Conseil General in La Roche, and tourist offices.

 St-Jean-de-Monts  

?21 Sept Concours d’artistes peintres Dozens of artists set up t heir easels to paint different corners of the Logis and its grounds. Logis de la Chabotterie, St-Sulpice-le-Verdon, near Rocheserviere (tel: 02 51 42 19 39)

 

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.