Les Herbiers, Vendee | Haut bocage

Les Herbiers situated in the north east corner of the Vendee Department, is well located for discovering the Haut Bocage of the Vendee, nearby attractions include le Mont des Alouettes, the Abbaye de la Grainetiere, The Chateau des Herbiers, le Donjon d'Ardelay, the Puy du Fou, and the steam railway.
Les Herbiers is the second largest commune in the Vendee and has a population of 15,500, it is 6okms from Nantes and is on junction 29 of the A87 autoroute.
The old town still retains the charm of a market town with narrow streets and alleyways and large open parks that offer a sanctuary of quiet and relaxation.

The origin of the name Les Herbiers is from Herbadilla (ville de l'herbe) due to its closeness to the zone of herbs and the marshland enviroment.
At the time when Jules César invades Gaulle, a Roman legion “ named the Lark” is established on the hill which dominates the Herbaria and which, since, bears the name "Mount of the Larks" (Mont des Alouettes).
During the Middle Ages, the religious, intellectual and agricultural activity of the abbey of Grainetière transformedl the area, but it was not saved during the 'Hundred years war'. The English invaded it but were later driven out by Guesclin.
The end of the X1Xe century saw the opening of a shoe factory by Lois Rondeau and then in 1964 the small communities of Herbaria and Ardelay were joined to form the modern day town of Les herbiers, since which it has profited from exceptional development in trade, industry and Tourism.
Les Alouettes. The Mount of the Larks at 231m, offers an imposing panoramic view over the whole of the lower Bocage.
Swept by the winds of the history, this small hill who's origins come from the base camp of a Roman legion, "the Larks", originally had 8 windmills of which now only 3 remain. one still functions thus keeping the memory of a tradition of the old miller alive. ( visits from April till September).
These wind mills played a vital part during the Wars of the Vendee, by transmitting from hill to hill the information on the movements of the enemy.
To commemorate the memory of the Wars of the Vendée, an elegant neo-gothic vault was set up in 1825, according to the wish of the duchess of Angouleme.
Each summer, it is the theatre with varied animations.
Today Les Herbiers is a modern town with its eyes firmly fixed on the future, it is an ideal centre from which to explore the haut bocage, the modern shopping malls of the perimeter of the town contrast with the inner heart of the town which still retains an old world charm.

Centre Aquatique Cap Vert. Rue Pierre de Coubertin open in the summer 7/7

competition pool, leisure spa area and jacuzzi, leisure facilities : water slide , fountains, wading
Outdoor facilities open from May to September, Solarium, outdoor lawn and beach, lagoon and outdoor playground, pentagliss ( Toboggan 4 lanes), ball pool with waves and bubble bench .real beach volleyball
Fast food Cafeteria open for the same period as the outdoor

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