Vendee Attractions

The Mont des Alouettes (231 m/758ft) is the highest hill in the Vendée. In 1792 there were seven windmills on the hill, which served during the Vendée wars as signal stations, with different positions of the sails conveying the message "danger", "troops to assemble" or "all clear". From the top of the hill there are fine views of the surrounding country, Nantes and the sea.

Maillezais, in the Marais Poitevin, has the remains (11th- 15th C.) of an abbey founded at the end of the 10th C. and originally surrounded by walls. There is a small archeological museum in the old kitchen.

Designed after inspirations of Oriental gardens, this special garden contains Japanese pavilions, statues and a notable Khmer temple. A romantic lake in the center marks this garden in an exceptional fashion.

The little fishing port of Pornic (pop. 11,903), situated at the end of an inlet (sandy beaches) on the "Jade Coast", is now a popular seaside resort. The old part of the town, with the harbor and a 13th-14th C. castle, is particularly attractive.

Along the Jade Coast remains of the "Atlantic Wall" built by the occupying German forces during World War II are still very visible.

This is the house of George Clemenceau, a significant figure in France's WWI victory. He rented this fisherman's house in 1919 after retiring from politics.

The little village of Talmont is picturesquely situated on a crag above the Gironde. The Romanesque church of Ste- Radegonde dates from the 12th C.