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Southern Vendée

The plaine, which stretches away to the south of Vendée, consists of 80,000 hectares of agricultural land that was previously under the sea. It is fertile and easily crossed. It rises slightly towards Sainte-Hermine, falls again towards Fontenay-le-Comte and ends in Deux-Sèvres. The Lay and the Sèvre Nantaise cross it with virtually no banks. The plaine does not have the gripping poetry of the Bocage but it was here that, until the last century, the highest political authorities of Bas-Poitou lived. Fontenay-le-Comte was the capital of the whole region ahead of La-Roche-sur-Yon and Luçon, the bishopric so close to the great marshland of the south West or the marsh of Poitou.

This southern marsh, formed from the alluvia deposited by the Sèvre-Niortaise, the Vendée, the Autize and the Mignion, hosted for a long time only islands - Triaize, Maillezais - Saint-Michel-en-l'Herm. It was consolidated only as a result of determined effort over 7 centuries. This was begun by the canal of the Cinq Abbés (Maillezais, Saint Michel en l'Herm, Nieul sur l'Autise, Saint Maixent and L'Absie).

One area of this region draws tourists every summer. This is the renowned "Green Venice", a water-logged marsh surrounded by trees and hedgerows. In the canals knows as "chenaux", divided into "rigoles" and subdivided into "conche", the marshland dwellers ply their fields in boats with the aid of oars or by punting, manoeuvring through thick weeds and beneath the entangled branches of trees which form a vault overhead.

In winter these lake-dwellings are plunged in mist but, in summer, a thousand shades of green glisten in the sunshine. In contrast to this waterlogged marsh, the central and western part of the poitou marsh are sheltered by the waters of to rivers and the sea, and remain dry throughout the winter. On these drained marshes there are farms known as "cabanes" which work huge lands.

The Picton Gulf

As you watch the birds flying overhead or savour the fresh flavour of the oysters and mussels of l'Aiguillon-sur-Mer, remember that this unique landscape has been formed by centuries of painstaking work. We ask visitors to respect this fragile environment and help us to preserve it for future generations.

Oyster and mussel-breeding
L'Aiguillon-sur-Mer was already an important centre of oyster- and mussel-breeding in the 11th century. The medieval heart of this picturesque little port on the banks of the river Lay has since been swept away by the ocean. Today's visitors can rest assured, though: a 4km sea wall now protects Aiguillon Bay.

Wildlife reserve
The sun, wind and vast amounts of water all contribute to the diversity and unusual quality of animals and plants. The region is famous for its waders and is a favourite staging-post for migrating birds.

The "golden mud"
At low tide thousands of chunky, mussel-encrusted posts, known as "bouchots" can be seen emerging from the bed of the bay. The wet mud glistens dark and green under the Atlantic skies. The estuary of the river Lay is gently silting up, as if trying to turn itself into another salt-meadow for sheep to graze. Since 1950 around 1,500 hectares of these meadows - known as "mizottes" - have been reclaimed. Some say the land will advance still further, until it covers the whole of the huge bay called the Anse de l'Aiguillon. You can just imagine how men won this land from the sea, and guess how the landscape might look in the future. For now, along with oyster- and mussel-farming, fishing remains L'Aiguillon's busiest commercial activity.

On hot summer days visitors relax on the lovely beach of La Faute-sur-Mer or stroll to the nearby village of St Michel-en-l'Herm, where monks built an abbey in the 7th century and began the work of draining the marshes. As they listen to tales of the abbey's tumultuous and bloody history, today's visitors might be grateful that they live in less violent times - and even more appreciative of their chances to laze under the sun listening to the murmuring of the waves.

Nearby is a reserve of 207 hectares of common grazing land where stilts, white spoonbills and wild geese can nest in safety. Thousands of black-tailed godwit use the area as a staging-post during their migration in March and April, and the occasional pair of storks may be seen. Among the romantic flutter of wings and the rustling of grasses, orchids and wild iris scientists are working on increasing the animal and plant life with the reintroduction of species like the greylag goose.

In the reserve's visitor centre, cleverly sited so as not to disturb the multitude of plant and animal life, you can meet some of the people who live and work here all year round, who are eager to share their knowledge, enthusiasm and respect for this environment.

Credits: Vendée Tourist Office

This area of France, only around 4 hours drive from the channel ports of Cherbourg St. Malo or Caen, has a wonderful balmy climate, with as many hours of sunshine as Provence (without the prices!)

How to get here

By Road

From the channel ports of Cherbourg (P&O Portsmouth ), St. Malo or Caen (Brittany Ferries) a couple of hours drive to Rennes and the visitor is half way there. A further hours drive on the N137 (dual carriageway) to Nantes, before picking up the A83 towards Bordeaux. Coming off at Junctions 7, 8 or 9. All in all, around 4/5 hours drive on mainly first class roads.

By Air

The airports of La Rochelle, Poitiers (Buzz) are both within striking distance as is Nantes Airport. If your time is precious, and you are flying into one of the airports mentioned above, we may be able to either have you met or have transport arranged.

Places to stay

Hotels & gîtes are plentiful in the area. If you require any help in organising your stay, please let us know. We'll be more than happy to help.