Would you like us to call you back? It's free!
Vendée, a land of history and discovery
A little culture...
If you want to know more about the history of the Vendée, you're in for a treat. Choose your era and we'll take you there. Neolithic sites, medieval castles, mechanical feats or the artists of tomorrow, make your choice and we'll guide you.
Historical heritage
The history of Talmont castle began over 1000 years ago, and is intertwined with that of Richard the Lionheart.
Do your children love princesses and knights? This is the ideal place to make their dreams come true. As you explore the remains, you can visit the moat, the bailey, the high courtyard and the master tower.
And to make the adventure complete, join in the workshops: falconry and chivalry shows, escape game or murder party...
The Automobile Museum
You're not particularly passionate about cars? We guarantee you are! You just don't know it yet.
The Vendée Automobile Museum will change your mind. This incredible collection, assembled by an enthusiast, features :
- 150 vehicles from 1885 to the present day, including several prototypes
- badges and accessories of all kinds
- a varied collection of objects: toys, two-wheelers, mannequins, posters...
- a miniature store
Step back in time and marvel at the technological developments since the Industrial Revolution.
In the footsteps of our (distant) ancestors
Just a stone's throw from Talmont Saint-Hilaire are the Bernard megaliths, an exceptional collection of dolmens and menhirs. Follow the trail of our ancestors and locate the Savatole dolmens, the Frébouchère dolmen and the Plessis menhirs.
Some are truly spectacular, and are listed as Monuments Historiques. The Vendée is teeming with these impressive constructions. Contact the Tourist Office and they'll guide you on your treasure hunt.
The blockhouse at Les Sables d'Olonne
Another era, another atmosphere: visit an authentic hospital blockhouse from the Second World War. This 350 m2 space, preserved in its original state since 1943, features reconstructions with mannequins.
More than a museum, it's an authentic place brought to life before your very eyes, with period costumes and props. It's also a real immersion in life in Sablaise during the Occupation (film with period images, testimonials from Sablais and portraits of resistance fighters...).
The Museum of Popular Traditions
Here's one of those little museums that doesn't look like much, yet is a veritable repository for the life of yesteryear.
Souvenirs of the Great War, farming tools, rural dwellings - everything that gave rhythm to the lives of our ancestors can be found here, like pieces of our collective memory. Your children will love the classroom run by a Hussard de la République and the desks pierced with inkwells.
From time to time, the museum organizes events such as an old-fashioned wedding or a night-time torchlight walk.
The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
If you're one of those people for whom art is an essential part of culture, then the Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain des Sables d'Olonne (MASC) is the place for you. Nestled in the heart of the Sainte-Croix Abbey (a priory dating from 1622), its architecture blends the ancient with the modern. Inaugurated in 1964, this emblematic site of contemporary culture in France presents significant collections by artists such as Gaston Chaissac and Jean Dubuffet. With over 300 exhibitions to its credit, the museum attracts around 35,000 visitors a year, offering a variety of activities such as guided tours and lectures. The MASC plays a key role in promoting modern and contemporary art locally and internationally.
With Le Kiosque: experience the Vendée!
At Les Jardins de l'Atlantique, our teams will share with you the best addresses and activities to discover in the Vendée. On Pace: Ticketing, weekly programs, excursions, exclusive tours... Adeline, our tour guide, will take you in small groups (6 to 8 people) to explore the Vendée!
