What's On

Commequiers, near Challans

4 Aug

Opera: Diva Opera perform “La Belle Helene”

Vouvant

early Aug

Brocante fair Open-air antiques fair in the streets of this picturesque village.

Sallertaine, near Challans

early Aug

Festival de Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile Season of plays, acted out against the backdrop of the historic castle. 9.30pm. 18€, children 8€.

Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile, Nourmoutier island (tel: 02 51 35 87 24).

7 & 8 Aug

Nieul – Village de lumière An evening of entertainment around the great abbey church of this picturesque village. 8pm-1am. 5€, under-6s free.

Nieul-sur-l’Autise, near Fontenay-le-Comte

7 Aug

Autrefois . . . Challans Wonderful old-time fair days throughout this pleasant market town, with traditional activities and a good deal of family fun.

Challans

7, 8, 11-13 Aug

Cette nuit Pierre-Levée Enjoyable son-et-lumière production, with 200 locals acting out the history of the Olonnes area against the backdrop of the pretty little Château de Pierre Levée. 1.300pm (food available earlier). 15 euros, children 8 euros.

Château de Pierre-Levée, (near Olonne golf course), Olonne-sur-Mer (tel: 02 51 23 71 54).

10 Aug

Fête du Lotus Annual festival around the beautiful lakes of flowering lotuses.

Parc Floral et Tropical, St-Cyr-du-Talmondais

early Aug

Puces Olonnaises Flea market. 6am-6pm.

Olonne-sur-Mer (tel: 02 51 95 31 83).

Mid Aug

Puces Islaises Flea market, with more than 100 dealers setting up shop around the picturesque village church.

Place de la Mairie, Ile-d’Olonne, near Les Sables-d’Olonne (tel : 02 51 95 47 48).

10 Aug

Puces Lignéronnaises August edition of the Vendée’s largest open-air flea-market. 9am-7pm. 1€.

St-Christophe-du-Ligneron, nr Challans.

12, 13 Aug

Le Ballet des Arts The Simphonie du Marais, under director Hugo Reyne, play music by Lully.

La Chabotterie, St-Sulpice-le-Verdon

14 Aug

Autrefois . . . Challans Wonderful old-time fair days throughout this pleasant market town, with traditional activities and a good deal of family fun.

Challans

14 Aug

Nuit de la Mogette The annual festival devoted to the white haricot bean of the Vendée. Old-time agricultural methods, music, and a beanfeast.

Lucon

15,16,17,18 Aug

Fete plus Broconte plus fireworks.

Le Poiré-sur-Vie, near Aizenay

14-16 Aug

Régates du Bois de la Chaise 130 sleek wooden sailing boats compete in a series of races off the coast of Noirmoutier. Parade of boats on Sun into Noirmoutier town port.

Bois de la Chaise and Noirmoutier town, Noirmoutier

mid Aug

Scénographie de Pierre-Levée Enjoyable son-et-lumiere production, with 200 locals acting out the history of the Olonnes area against the backdrop of the pretty little Chateau de Pierre Levée. 1.300pm (food available earlier). 15 euros, children 8 euros.

Chateau de Pierre-Levée, (near Olonne golf course), Olonne-sur-Mer (tel: 02 51 23 71 54).

15 Aug

Fete du Lac Fun and games in, around and on the lake, with a grand firework finale over the water after dark.

Rue du Moulin-a-Eau, Maché, near Aizenay

15 Aug

Fete du Folklore et du Sanglier An afternoon of music and dance, plus evening meal of roast wild boar with accompanying entertainment. From 2.30pm; meal from 7pm.

St-Avaugourd-des-Landes, near La Mothe-Achard

15 Aug

FETE DE L’ASSOMPTION
(Feast of the Assumption), public holiday

14 Aug

Autrefois . . . Challans Wonderful old-time fair days throughout this pleasant market town, with traditional activities and a good deal of family fun.

Challans

16-22 Aug

Championnat International de Fireball Around 60 two-man racing dinghies compete for a week off the coast.

Notre-Dame-de-Monts

21-24 Aug

Festival de Cugand Annual festival of world music, with colourful teams performing traditional music and dance on the open-air stage. Line-up this year includes Benin, Ireland, China, Venezuela and Khazakstan. 14€, children 7€.

Cugand, near Clisson (tel: 02 51 36 93 60).
Booking opens 21 July.

24 Aug

Peintres dans la Rue A day when the streets of this picturesque little village are full of artists at work.

Vouvant