The Agency is ideally placed in the market town of Coulonges-sur-l'Autize, just on the border between the departments of the Vendée and the Deux-Sèvres. Let us tell you a little about those two departments and in particular the areas that we cover, then why not have a look at the linked web sites at the bottom of this page for further information about the area.

THE VENDEE is a large department (or county) about the size of Devon, located on the French Atlantic coast, just south of Brittany and Nantes, and north of La Rochelle. Its position, within 2 to 5 hours of the various western ferry ports, makes the area an easy day's journey from Britain and Ireland. The results of a recent census shows the population at 540 000.

The department takes its name from the river "Vendée" which runs through the south-east of the area - which just happens to be the part of the Vendée that we cover!
This beautiful river, once it crosses the forest of Mervent, flows through the renaissance town of Fontenay-le-Comte, which used to be the capital of Bas-Poitou (which was changed to Vendée after the French Revolution of 1789). The river then meanders on through the Poitevin marshes (which feature below) to meet the Sevre Niortaise (which also features below in the section about the Deux-Sèvres department), and turns west to meet the sea in the bay known as the Anse de l'Aiguillon. The town of Fontenay-le-Comte although known for its Renaissance style, has a deeply original and varied heritage.

The Abbeys at Maillezais (dating from 1003) and Nieul-sur-l'Autize (dating from 1068) are quite majestic, and during the summer they are often the venues for theatrical presentations and concerts.  Elsewhere in the south Vendée you can find wonderful examples of the Romanesque style in churches dating from the 10th to 12th century.

The town is lit at night, showing off the remarkable architecture to its very best. It is not surprising then, that the town is listed as a "Town of Art and History". The Mervent/Vouvant forest (the largest area of woodland in the Vendée) combines deep woods with the rocks and the river, and offers the walker 200 kilometres of marked paths to enjoy.  The development of the area has been done sympathetically, and in addition to the forest walks, other activities include sailing, rock-climbing, cycling, on and off road, horse-riding and fishing.
Peak tourist activity in the Vendée is throughout July and August (especially 14 July to 15 August). Principal sea-side resorts are St-Jean-de-Monts, St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, Les Sables-d'Olonne and La Tranche-sur-Mer. But you will find plenty to do inland, among the marshes, plains and wooded hills. One of the most visited sites in Vendée is at the Chateau de Puy du Fou, near Les Epesses in north Vendée.  The"Grand Parc" is great for a family day out, and the evening "son-et-lumière" show, known as the "Cinéscénie" is, quite frankly, beyond description! You just have to go! (See the link below for further information)
The Marais Poitevin - at the heart of the French Atlantic coast. A vast marshland was what remained once the ocean was pushed back over centuries, due to the gradual build up of silt in the waterways. Later developed by the local people, at first organised by the Cistercian and Benedictine abbeys, then by Dutch engineers, the canals were dug by the inhabitants who raised dykes over thousands of kilometres so that this flatland could be exploited.  Fresh and sea water mix at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.  The Marais Poitevin appeals to all, ramblers, nature lovers, or simply lovers of the simple things in life - peace and quiet, enhanced by the rich flora and fauna, set in an incomparable setting, known locally as the "Venise Verte" or Green Venice.

Click the links below for web sites on the area.

www.tourisme-sudvendee.com

www.accueil-vendee.com

www.nieul-sur-lautise.fr

www.poitou-charentes.fr

www.puydufou.tm.fr

La Rochelle

FuturoScope

THE-DEUX-SEVRES department takes its name from the two rivers which course through it, the Sèvres Nantaise and Sèvre Niortaise, the latter flowing imposingly through the capital town of the department, Niort. The town has a rich historical heritage, and is to an extent dominated by the 12th century Romanesque keep and towers at one end. The surrounding countryside which  we are fortunate enough to cover the area on the west side of the department which tends to enjoy a slightly better climate than its neighbour to the east! This department forms part of the larger region of .

POITOU-CHARENTES which offers an amazing combination of natural landscapes and country side.  Within this region, and therefore easy reach of the Agency, and the area we cover, there are 2 airports with a daily service to and from London (Stansted).  The airports are at the sea port town of La Rochelle, (culture, architecture, amazing restaurants….) and the town of Poitiers (home of the fascinating European park of the moving image "Futuroscope", and the gateway to Romanesque Art). Both airports are within 1½ hours drive from the Agency; several major hire car agencies operate from the terminals and offer good out of season rates

Throughout all of the areas covered by the Agency, you will find any number of clubs and associations, if you so wish.  Sport and Leisure play a very big part of local life, and the smallest of villages will usually have a "terrain de boules" (for boules or pétanque) where there will be a weekly gathering, organised or otherwise, of like minded players! In order to give you an idea, our local village (population 1200) had, at the last count, over 30 clubs or associations! Bearing in mind that with only 3 people an association can be formed, they tend to spring up all over the place, encompassing sport (football, rugby, hand-ball, hockey, running, rambling, table tennis, majorettes, keep-fit, cycling…..) pastimes (silk painting, knitting, scrabble, amateur dramatics, card playing, bingo,…..) and cultural associations organising concerts, plays, musical events, cinema in the open air, local fêtes etc.