local attractions | things to do in the Vendee

Markets    The following are just some of the weekly markets that can be found within easy driving distance of Le Cedre

Fontenay le Comte Every saturday a lively market takes place in the main street and the Rue de Halles. In the morning till midday the vegitable,flowers together with the Fish and Meat markets are in the Rue de Halles.The general market last all day with a break for lunch.

Niort   On Tuesdays and Thursday in the centre ville are the street markets they are around the covered market which is open every day except Sundays. This area of Niort is very attractive as it is close to the river and next to the Roman Keep which is now a Museum,also in this area of the old town are many Elizabethan style houses.

Angle Sunday morning see a very popular street market

St.Hermine There is a coverd market here

Day by Day list if Markets through out the Vendee

Fetes

L'Hermenault   the local fete for Le Cedre is the annual Foire a L'Ancienne. This takes place on the first Sunday in September.The whole village is closed off to make way for an old fashion fair. The centre piece is the cattle show where the rare breed Partensain cattle are displayed and Judged. The Entertainment goes on all day and the fair is reckonded to be the finest in the Vendee.

The Vendée is home to five golf courses whose individual characteristics are much-loved by those who play them: five 18-hole courses, four of them on the coast and one in the hinterland. All of them enjoy an exceptionally fine natural setting, with small clumps of trees, woodland, splendid water features and greenery. Each of the courses has its own special characteristics which give them their own charm and subtle playing features. At Saint Jean de Monts, a number of holes on the edge of the beach remind players of the links in Scotland. At Saint Gilles Croix de Vie, the Fontenelles course and its surrounding countryside is one of gentle undulations, maritime pines and green oaks. The Domangère course at La Roche sur Yon is in the Californian style. The course at Port Bourgenay is on an estate covering 85 hectares and is fringed by pine woodland and small lakes. And finally, at Olonne sur Mer, you will encounter the true nature of the Vendée’s bocage countryside, with its gently undulating landscapes and lovely lakes. Port Bourgenay - "On the edge of the sea and bordering an enclosed forest, this golf course overlooks the marina of Port Bourgenay. Alternately hedgerows and pine forest, this course provides a two-in-one experience" La Domangere - "The highest slope in France with a wealth of shots to be played. La Domangère is a delightful course that those in search of new challenges will want to experience" Les Fontenelles - "Best known for its driving range, this golf course with its hedgerows provides an excellent succession of water features, maritime pine and oaks over more than 2 miles" La Vallee des Singes, Primate Protection Reserve: (www.la-vallee-des-singes.fr/UK/index.html ) 30 species to be discovered White-Bellied Spider

Besides golf in the vendee and because we are so close to the Deux Sevre and Charente Maritime, there are two or three more courses that should be considered.
The municipal course at Niort is just 30 mins or so away, Its highly rated by our clients who play there and its probibly the cheapest around.
The couse at La Rochelle is 45 mins drive and is a dunes course.

Beaches of the Vendee. The vendee has some of the best blue flag beaches in France from the Point de l'Aiguillon, le Faute sur Mer which includes a nudist beach, past the town of Le Tranche sur Mer, to the much acclaimed beaches of La Terriere and les Conches in the south of the vendee.
The beaches north of Jard sur mer include the beach at les Mines and the Payre estuary before you cross the river to the Veillon beach just south of Bougenay.
As you move north there are the beaches you come to one of the safest beaches in the Vendee at Les Sables d'Olonne. Across the olonne river is Chaume with a few small beaches. The long expanse of sands that then follows has Sauveterre in the middle before you reach the sluses and beaches at Des Granges. North again are the beaches of Brem sur Mer followed by those at Bretignolles sur mer on a rocky part of the coast. After this rocky area the beaches start again with Jaunay before you reach St Gilees Croix de Vie