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An EnthuZiaZT's Glimpse of the Vendeé

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EnthuZiaZT View Drop Down
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    Posted: 11 Aug 2013 at 9:59pm
We had a wonderful time in France in July, so we thought you would like to share our adventures with us, sorry it’s a bit late and picture heavy, but there were so many, it was hard to choose which to leave out!

St Jean du Monts in the Vendeé and the Ile de Ré

The impressive Bridge at St Nazaire on the journey down.




At €16 (£14) this 3km bridge to the Ile de Ré is the most expensive toll we’ve ever known.



Very commercialised, there were so many bicycles, it was worse than a busy day in Cambridge!


Passage Du Gois (French for - to wade) at Ile de Noirmontier

This 4 km tidal passage was first used in the 16th Century and has Balises (Towers) for stranded motorists to climb if caught out by the tide!! Every day it is inundated with locals digging for shellfish.
There is an awesome bridge that was built in 1971, so you can escape from the island , if you miss the tide.!!



Mike with The Bridge in the background


Cross to commemorate lives lost.

The sea flooding back over at High tide, luckily everyone was across, but it had taken over 3 hours.


The Castle at Tiffauges was very impressive, built on the river Sevré between the 12th and 15th Century it has a very dark legend as it was the home of Giles De Rais, a notorious child murderer and rapist, a friend of Joan of Arc (Jeanne d’Arc) he was later to be known as Bluebeard.
Very entertaining with a play and a 3D film and a grandstanded outdoor display of Medieval Warfare and Weapons with the chance to watch everything all over again if you missed anything.
An incredible place for Children as they can dress up and are taken round in a group!
Good value too as it was only a few Euros!!




Play with Bluebeard & Joan of Arc


Michael plotting this next target with the mini Trébuchet, they actually lob things into the river below!!!


Once a Knight, always a Knight, but once a Knights enough!!! Hoisted onto his Horse





A Medieval Crane!

We had a really restful holiday and meeting up with Mike French from .net in La Gacilly was a bonus,
he said that he would welcome a visit from any of the Z forums Guys and his DAY BOATS are to be recommended.
We love this area in France, especially as it has it’s own micro-climate with endless sunshine and beautiful countryside and coastline.

Mike & Sandy

Edited by EnthuZiaZT - 12 Aug 2013 at 11:19pm
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steveH View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote steveH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Aug 2013 at 11:10pm
we have holiday'ed down Vendee for years with the kids - Le Tranche (??) La Rochelle (??) if memories serve correct.
It is a great place to relax.
Super driving roads and looks like you had a great time.
Tell it how it is the Northern way.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hennabm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Aug 2013 at 7:49am
Some nice pictures.
 
We visited the island last year and was suprised at the cost of the toll for the bridge.
 
For me I soon turned around and came off the island as it was like driving in Britain but on the wrong side. It seemed that nearly every other car was a UK registered and I wanted to holiday in France not a mini Britain.LOLLOL
 
The submarine pens at La Rochelle were still there but out of bounds as they were in the port itself.
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EnthuZiaZT View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote EnthuZiaZT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Aug 2013 at 11:04pm
Yes, Stevie we had a great time, like you it is one of our favourite holiday spots which we return to each year.

You're right hennabm, we also circum-navigated once and straight out again afterwards, we couldn't believe you could get so many people on such a small island!!

La Rochelle, Isn't that were they filmed one of the Bond movies or at least a well known movie?

We think that the best way to approach La Rochelle is from the sea through the old fortifications on a boat from Tranche.

Perhaps one day we will get as far down as the Dordogne to visit Mike Fishwick.

Edited by EnthuZiaZT - 12 Aug 2013 at 11:08pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rev426 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Oct 2013 at 11:18pm
Looks great.

I love France, and yes there will always be Brits, and Germans and Belguims as well, but thats because they're lovely spots. Theres always somewhere just away from the crowds to discover as it's such a huge country.

We've been to the Dordogne for the last 20 years, both for family holidays and on our way to various other regions and it's well worth a trip. Beautiful scenery and gorgeous views. Canoe rides, great walks and fab restaurants. Give it a go you'll enjoy it.

We normally go in September when the volume of people has diminished. May and June are great months as well. We find the best of the weather for open touring is usually at those times.

Thanks for posting it's inspiring me to book for next year!

:-)
Nick
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