Discover activities to do in the heart of the department “Vendée” next to the Ecuries du Château !
Puy du Fou
Le Puy du Fou is a leisure park with a historical theme. It was voted to be the best world parc in Los Angeles in 2021.
Located in the Vendée region, it is also the setting for a night-time show produced by volunteers, retracing the history of the Vendée through the destiny of one family: The Cinéscénie.
Nieul-sur-l’Autise
Its history is linked to that of a group of Genovese canons commissioned by the Lord of VOUVANT to found a monastery there in 1068.
The Abbey grew rapidly, thanks to numerous gifts and privileges from the founders, the Dukes of Aquitaine and even the King of France, Louis VII. Eleanor of Aquitaine was born here in 1122.
At the beginning of the 12th century, the canons of Nieul joined forces with those of Maillezais, St-Maixent, l’Absie and St-Michel-en-l’Herm to dig the Canal des Cinq-Abbés, draining marsh water into the Sèvre (creation of the Marais Poitevin: wet marshland).
Maillezais Abbey
The Saint-Pierre de Maillezais cathedral is a former abbey church, converted into a cathedral in 1317, located in Maillezais, in the Vendée department. It remained the seat of the bishopric of Maillezais until 1648, when the episcopal see was transferred to Saint-Louis cathedral in La Rochelle.
The former Saint-Pierre abbey (remains of the abbey) has been listed as a historic monument since January 30, 1924.
Terre Neuve castle in Fontenay-le-Comte
Built in 1580 to plans by architect Jean Morisson for Nicolas Rapin, the Terre-Neuve Castle was Henri IV’s comrade-in-arms and writer, is one of the town’s Renaissance masterpieces.