Journee du Patrimoine

September 18th & 19th 2010

Every year on the third weekend in September there is are  "Journees du Patrimoine"  literally it means "Days of Inheritance" it is two days when more than 400 historic sites, including over 50 privately owned properties, open their door to the general Public. These Journees du Patrimoine have now been running for 26 years and each year they attract thousands of visitors to historic sites many of which are not normally accessible to the general public.
It is a great chance to find some of the hidden treasures that can range from Private owned chateaux to wind and watermills, churches, abbeys and priories to museums. Many of the attractions that normally charge an entrance fee are either free or have reduced tariffs. There are guided tours to many of these including explanations of the renovation work that in many cases are ongoing.
The real problem though is that there is so much to see and only the two days in which to do it and being spread across the whole of the Vendee there is no way you can take in  anything but a small part of what is on offer. Our suggestion is to look for those places that are only open on these  patrimoine days, as some do not open every year. Most the other you can viewed throughout the year albeit you have to pay.
The Journees du Patrimoine is a great way to find out about the rich and varied inheritance that resides in the Vendee and allows you see many sites off limits for the remainder of the year.
All the historic sites owned by the Department of the Vendee are Open and are free and these include the Chateau at Tiffauges, The abbays of Neuil-sur-l'autise, Maillezais, and prieure de Grammont, le Chabotterie and the Haras de la Vendee.

The private sites that are opening their doors include;

Chateau Guignardiere at Avrille, tarif reduced.
Chateau Bessay.  tarif reduced.
Abbaye de l'Ile-chauvet.  tarif reduced.
Le Fief Milon at Boupere, ancient fortress, open exceptional.
Logis de la Trevilliere, at Bretnollies-sur-Mer.  exterior only, open exceptional.
Chateau de l'Echasserie, at La Bufffiere. medieval fortress, guided tours, open exceptional
Manoir de la Rhee 1590. La Caillere, exterior only  open exceptional.
Logis de St. Mars at La Chaize-le-Vicomte. XVI. Open exceptional.
Chateau du Fougeroux at Chapelle-Themer
Le Petit Moulin at Chateauneuf.
Chateau du Rortheau at Dompierre-sur-Yon concert 15h open exceptional.
Chateau du la Flocelliere. A chance to look inside. Open exceptional.
Chateau Terre Neuve. Fontenay-le-Comte.  Tarif reduced.
Chateau La Garnache.  tarif reduced
Chateau de la Bruniere 1590 at Le Givre.  open exceptional.
Manoir du Bignon at les Herbieres. Exterior only opening exceptional.
Chateau l'Hermenault.  Tarif reduced.
Chapelle des Ursulines at Lucon exterior only visit tourist office.
Eglise de Dissais at Mareuil-sur-lay-dissais 14h to 18h open exceptional.
Mouchamps the following;
Chateau du parc Soubise 15.30h to 18h tarif reduced open exceptional.
Logis de Lansonniere 15h 19h opening exceptional.
Chateau de la Bobiniere, 14 -18 h open exceptional
Logis de la Guimeniere exterior only. 14h to 18h opening exceptional.
Logis le Fief Goyau. Exterior only 14-19h open exceptional.
Chateau de la Cantaudiere at Moutiers-les Mauxfaits. Open exceptional.
Logis l'Ilot-les-Tours. At Nalliers. Guided visit. 14h-19h
Moulin a vent Le Champ de la Truie at Nailliers 10-12 & 14 to 18h
Vieille Poterie at Nesmy
Chateau de Pierre-Levee, at olonne-sur-Mer. Open exceptional.
Moulin de Pacouinay at Oulmes 9-12 & 15-18h open exceptional.
Moulin de Frely at Pouzauges  10-19h  open exceptional.
Moulin de Bel Air at La Rabateliere 14-19h open exceptional.
Logis de Mirville at La Roche-sur-Yon
Logis de la Chevillonniere at St.Hilaire-le-Vouhis  Tarif reduced, open exceptional.
Moulin Baron at St.Martin des Noyers 14-18h open exceptional.
Logis de la Bonneliere at St. Michel mont mercure open exceptional.
Logis de la Chavallerie at St.Gemme-la-Plaine tarif reduced.
Chateau de Saint Hermine exterior only open exceptional.
Loges de la Petite Coudraie near St.Hermine open exceptional.
Moulin de la Roche at Xanton-Chasenon, open exceptional.




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