The Vendée

The Vendée has the second best climate in France after the Mediterranean taking advantage of the Atlantic Gulf Stream on the coast to the west.

It is a region steeped in history having been fought over many times by the English and the French; the most significant wars being the Hundred Years war, the Wars of Religion and the Vendéen war when the royalist peasants and nobility fought against the republican armies. After much fierce fighting, the republicans finally got the upper hand - thousands of people were shot or guillotined and to prevent more uprisings, the government of the region was moved from Fontenay le Comte to La Roche sur Yon, where it is today.

The famous chateaux and grounds of Le Puy de Fou, devoted to the history of the Vendée, are well worth a visit being about 45 mins away; it’s evening Son-et-lumiere presentations are quite spectacular although you will need to book for one of these before your holiday begins.