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Towns
and Villages of the Vendee
L'Hermenault
Situated in the
south of the Vendee just 12km from Fontenay-le-Comte where the Prairie meets the
bocage. It is mainly an agricultural village, it has an V11 century church but
the village is best noted for its Chateau
once the summer residence of the bishops of La Rochelle which was built on the
remains of castle of which only one of the towers remains, The gardens which are
open to the public during afternoons in the summer contains the best example of
a 'Bateau Barn' in western France as well the a watermill and lavatoir. The
guided tour is well worth the entrance fee.
The village also contains several
other small chateaux, one of which was a protestant stronghold which did battle
with the main chateau which was Catholic.
The village
has a small supermarket. A Boulanger, a post office, dentist, two Doctors (both
speak English) a notaire and a public swimming pool with waterslide, open July
and August €3.5
Though market days are Wednesdays it is not worth a visit as rarely are there more than two or three stalls these days.
The first Sunday in September see the annual fete 'foire de l'Ancienne' and old time fair with the selling of all manner of animals and birds, produce and crafts traditional to the region and at the main square the region show for the 'Pathensais' cattle. The steak and chips (Pathenais of course) in the large restaurant tent is the finest I've had in France.
The 2009 show was held at the Loges d'Aspiron, in the ground of the pretty chateau which gave the show a great back drop. This was the largest show in recent years and was well attended. I understand that this is to be a permanent home for the show, as having it in the streets of the village caused to much interuption.
Though market days are Wednesdays it is not worth a visit as rarely are there more than two or three stalls these days.
The first Sunday in September see the annual fete 'foire de l'Ancienne' and old time fair with the selling of all manner of animals and birds, produce and crafts traditional to the region and at the main square the region show for the 'Pathensais' cattle. The steak and chips (Pathenais of course) in the large restaurant tent is the finest I've had in France.
The 2009 show was held at the Loges d'Aspiron, in the ground of the pretty chateau which gave the show a great back drop. This was the largest show in recent years and was well attended. I understand that this is to be a permanent home for the show, as having it in the streets of the village caused to much interuption.
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More photo
of the Foire
de l'Ancienne.