Heritage Days are a highlight for discovering the architecture, heritage and history of your region. They take place every year, the 3rd weekend of September.
The themes “Heritage of routes, networks and connections” and “Maritime heritage” were chosen for the year 2024. Songs, dances, gastronomy, stories, artisanal know-how… all these practices constitute a living heritage. Many sites constitute sporting heritage: stadiums, swimming pools, racecourses, ice rinks, golf or tennis courts, etc.
European Heritage Days – September 21 and 22, 2024
On the initiative of the Minister of Culture Jack Lang in 1984, the Heritage Days have been taken up in many European countries since 1991 and have become the European Heritage Days.
Since then, these days have been favored by the French to discover an unknown heritage, a private castle, a hidden garden... the success of these days is immense! Each year, town halls, private owners and heritage associations do their utmost to offer new products. Access to the site may be free or at a reduced rate.
Discover the program
The Tourist offices du Bocage Vendéen provide you with the various programs in paper version: that of their territory, the Vendée and the Pays de la Loire. Also find all the sites open to visitors in the Vendée bocage in our section calendar.
What sites to visit in Vendée Bocage during Heritage Days?
The Tourist Offices have selected visits for you for this weekend: new arrivals, exceptional openings, animated visits... You are sure to find the visit of your choice. Nice discovery!
Country of Mortagne
Favorite: Literary, musical and sound nap in Saint-Aubin-des-Ormeaux
Concert-Reading in a "low" voice for a literary, musical and sound nap around sport and the Olympic Games. Each spectator equipped with a headset settles comfortably to prepare for a sound triathlon lasting 3/4 of an hour.
- Friday, September 20, 2024 at 19 p.m.
- All ages from 8 years old / Free
- Bring blankets, deck chairs or relaxation cushions
- Registration required via www.paysdemortagne.fr/tourisme
The discovery walk of the historical heritage of Boucheries (Cité des Oiseaux) in Landes-Genusson
Travel through time and come discover the historical heritage that surrounds the La Boucherie estate. From its pond to its castle via its vaulted cellars open for the occasion, Patrick and Nathalie will be happy to welcome you.
- Saturday September 21, 2024 at 16:30 p.m.
- Duration: 1 hour. Route of approximately 2 km.
- Registration required, limited number of places. Free
Steam train ride and depot tour – Mortagne sur Sèvre
On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, board the Steam Train from Mortagne s/Sèvre to St Laurent s/Sèvre for the guided tour of the Vendée Railway depot.
Volunteers will invite you to the discovery of the railway world through different workshops (equipment restoration, machine driving and track maintenance).
- Duration: 2 hours (including 1h30 visit to the depot).
- 4 trips per day: 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 14 p.m. and 16:15 p.m. (Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September 2024)
- Prices: Return at 10€ from 3 years old.
- Reservation required at 02 51 63 02 01 or www.vendeetrain.fr
Country of Pouzauges
Domaine les Bourochelles in Pouzauges – visit and concert
Located in the upper Vendée bocage, the Les Bourochelles estate in the heart of Pouzauges, opens its doors for the first time during the 2024 European Heritage Days.
Come and discover the park of more than one hectare planted with listed trees several hundred years old, the mansion and its lounges in the pure Napoleon III style, the barns and outbuildings from the end of the sixteenth century, the dovecote and its bread oven.
Currently owned by a professional musician, the visit will begin with a piano concert in the grounds of a barn converted into a musical stage. The program will focus on romantic music from the 1850s, a period when the Les Bourochelles estate reached its peak.
Pouzauges Castle
Who has never listened to and felt the wind when visiting the Château? This is the theme chosen to promote this monument during Heritage Days.
- Kite-making workshops, upcycling workshops, wooden games and artistic installations: activities to discover as the wind blows…
- Flash tours of the castle provided by the Tourist Office
- Refreshment bar and snacks on site.
- Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m. and Sunday, September 22 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Culinary challenges at the Château de Saint-Mesmin
All medieval challenges will be allowed at the Château de Saint Mesmin, stories to “get out of the way” including for heritage days where the culinary challenges will address flavors and diet. With Jean Le Large, sit in the kitchen for your first lessons in “healthy baking” where dietetics will combine medicine and food, an aphorism highlighted in Antiquity by Hippocrates and widely taken up in the Middle Ages.
- Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September 2024 from 14:30 p.m. to 18:30 p.m.
Country of Chantonnay
Favorite: Priory of Grammont – Investigation at the Priory
"1318, changes will bring out the true nature of the monks. Each has things to hide but a murder will bring them all to light."
Come dive into this mystery and try to solve the investigation!
- Saturday September 21, 2024 at 16 p.m.
- Report to the priory reception from 15:30 p.m.
- Duration: 2 hour
- Interactive game for all ages from 7 years old
- Free entry for heritage days
- Limited seats
- Information and reservations on 02 51 53 66 66
- Recommendation: Remember to charge your phone before arriving at the priory to have access to 4G during the giant investigation.
Festi-Moulins in Saint Martin des Noyers
Built in 1835, the Moulin Baron, located on the hill of Moulins des Bois, at an altitude of 104 m, overlooks the towns of Saint-Martin-des-Noyers and Sainte-Cécile. Visit of the mill, projections, threshing, making of bread and fouées, musical entertainment, musical meal…. Detailed program:
Saturday September 21, 2024 from 14 a.m. to 23 p.m.
- 15 p.m. departure Rando Mobylettes
- 17:30 p.m.: Drawings of school children in the Gaston Chaissac style
- 19 p.m.: Concert by Bouine Bouzine “Meunier you sleep to the rhythm of your mill”
- 20 p.m.: Festive meal “Martin and Cécile’s stuffed piglet” by reservation (€20 for adults and €8 for children)* at 02 44 40 20 06.
- Screening on the mill of the film “From the bread mill”
Sunday September 22 from 10 p.m. to 18 p.m.
- Welcome by the millers Martin and Cécile and their donkey Simbad
- Visits to the Moulin Baron, the Moulins des Bois site and screenings
- Playground for children
- Drawings of school children like Gaston Chaissac
- Tasting of fouées
Auneau Park in Chantonnay
The Domaine de L'Auneau Park exceptionally opens its doors for the European Heritage Days. This park was labeled “Remarkable Garden” in 2011. An Italian-inspired castle, atypical for the region, the villa-castel built in 1899 by the architect Joseph Libaudière dominates the Petit Lay valley. The walk provides panoramic views that reflect the landscape identity of Tuscany. An apple juice from the property will be offered to visitors.
- Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September 2024 from 14 p.m. to 19 p.m.
- Price: €5. Free – 18 years old and people with disabilities.
- Information 06 80 48 25 61
The Logis des Grois
These two days will be an opportunity to learn about the history of this Vendée Logis, classified as a historic monument. The Logis des Grois was built at the end of the 400th century for Daniel Majou des Grois, officer of her royal highness the Duchess of Orléans. It has been protected by the state in its entirety both for architectural reasons but also for historical reasons. The village of Grois and its Logis have indeed experienced the troubles caused by the wars of religion but also during the revolutionary period. It has belonged to the same family for XNUMX years.
- Saturday September 21, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14:30 p.m. to 18 p.m.
- Sunday September 22, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14:30 p.m. to 17 p.m.
- Free admission. Information: 06 62 18 24 68.
Land of Herbaria
Favorite – Ardelay Castle in Les Herbiers
- Twilight tour : Discover the Ardelay castle differently: embark on an interactive and lively visit! Saturday September 21 at 20 h, by reservation: [email protected]
- Exhibition “Robert Doisneau or the crossing of a century”. Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22 from 10h to 18h30.
- Medieval Games Camp September 21 and 22, 2024 10h to 18h30.
- Artistic fencing show : dive into the heart of the history of the castle of Ardelay and fight alongside the lord of Ardelay, caught in the middle of a storm. Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22 at 11:30 a.m., 13:45 p.m., 15:30 p.m. and 17 p.m.
- Guided tours from the castle on September 21 and 22: at 10:15 a.m., 12 p.m., 14 p.m., 15:45 p.m. and 17:30 p.m.. Reservation strongly recommended.
Beaurepaire Candlelight Concert
In the cozy and warm setting of the reception room of the Château de la Richerie, the Quator de Limoges offers you an intimate concert by candlelight, for a total immersion in the subtle atmosphere of film music. The evening will continue with a tasting of local products in the courtyard of the castle to be able to chat with the artists.
- Saturday September 21, 2024 at 20:30 p.m., €20 single price.
- Reservation required online or on 02 44 40 20 00
Visits to the Château de l'Etenduère – Les Herbiers
L'Etenduère welcomes you on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September 2024!
- Guided tour “Once upon a time, the Château de l'Etenduère”. Take advantage of the heritage days to discover the underside of the ruins of the castle, browsing its history from the XNUMXth century to today. Departures every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17 p.m.
- Information on 02 51 66 95 41 or on [email protected]
Lands of Montaigu
Favorite: Les Echappées – Terres de Montaigu
As part of Heritage Days, Terres de Montaigu is offering the 4rd edition of its cycling event: Les Echappées! Discover the heritage with family or friends and by bike.
By bicycle, pedal on the roads of La Bruffière, La Boissière de Montaigu, Treize-Septiers, Montréverd and l'Herbergement to discover the jewels of the region, some of which open their doors only for the occasion. Between nature, sporting activity and discovery, Les Echappées invite you to meet on Sunday 22 September 2024.
- Loop La Bruffière > La Boissière-de-Montaigu > Treize-Septiers (23 km) : opening of the private parks from the Echasserie castle and the Asson castle
- Montréverd Loop > Accommodation (15km)
From 10 a.m. to 17 p.m. Without reservation. Free.
Information at the Tourist Office on 02 51 06 39 17.
Theatrical Tours in Montaigu
- Theatrical walk “Attempt at Montacutaine topography”, the city’s heritage is told through personal and unique memories. Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 16 p.m., and Sunday, September 22 at 11 a.m. and 16 p.m. Free. Info: 02 51 06 39 17.
Discovering the Castles
- Hallay Castle – Boufféré: live show La Fleur du Souvenir by the Ricordatio association and discovery of the exterior of the castle Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September 2024 from 14 p.m. to 18:30 p.m..
Pays de Saint-Fulgent – Les Essarts
Update in progress
Espace Gaston Chaissac – Sainte Florence (Essarts en Bocage)
For Heritage Days, discover theSpace Gaston Chaissac, with the exhibition by Pascal Audin The Bear's Tender Paw. Visit the blue sugar box, the scenography on the artist Gaston Chaissac and his world. Conference by Jacques Chauvin, entitled “Gaston Chaissac, surreal, painter and poet” on Sunday September 22, 2024 at 15 a.m..
- Saturday, September 21, 2024 – 14:00 p.m. to 19:00 p.m.
- Sunday, September 22, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m.
- Single price: 2 €
- Information on 02 51 66 10 84
The Sanctuary of La Salette – La Rabatelière
Discover this unusual place, testimony to parish life at the end of the XNUMXth century. Raised by the Abbé Hillairet, this site surprises both by the materials used and by the architectural program developed. The zigzag paths present remarkable trees: Himalayan cedars, laricio pines, exotic plants such as Yucca and palm trees...
- Free access
- Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17, 2023
- Open from 9 a.m. to 19 p.m.
The Crypt and the Church of Saint Pierre – Les Essarts
Built in 1182 at the same time as the Romanesque church of the Saint-Pierre priory, the crypt retains magnificent vaults and columns from the period. Rectangular in shape, 11 m long and 4 m wide, it is divided into three naves by two rows of 5 columns, and ends in a semicircle. This crypt was classified as a Historic Monument in 1971. Discover its architecture during a visit thanks to a detailed audio commentary. To visit the crypt: staircase on the right in the church, near the sacristy.
- Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September 2023 from 8 a.m. to 19 p.m.
- Accès libre
Heritage Rally – Les Brouzils
As part of the European Heritage Days 2023, the associations GRASLA AUTO RETRO and ASSOCIATION DE SAUVEGARDE DU HERITAGE BROUZILIENS are organizing a heritage rally. You will be offered a quiz on exceptional monuments, places and plants in 6 towns in the Pays de Saint-Fulgent – Les Essarts.
- Sunday 17 September 2023
- Departures from 10 a.m. from Château de Ligny
- Open to all types of vehicles (old, modern, 2 wheels or 4 wheels, with motors or without motors)
- Route of about 70 kms
Themes
