In the heart of the Grasla forest, families have taken refuge, abandoning their farms and their homes. Discover this village, in the heart of the Vendée, witness to the Revolution and the Vendée wars.
The reconstituted “village” shows the living conditions of these peasants who, in 1794, refused to obey the new rules imposed by the Convention. The families have organized themselves in the forest by creating a survival camp, to escape the Republican army which is pursuing the insurgents.
A historical site to discover
New 2023
Show The Wind of Grasla
Le Refuge de Grasla presents its new theatrical creation The Wind of Grasla, by screenwriter and director François Demurger. The troupe of volunteer actors guides the public on the memory lane from March 1793 to the present day.
Relive the epic of the simple people, these peasants and craftsmen who got up in March 1793, carried by their vision of humanity. Hidden at the bottom of this protective forest, these families make us discover the war in its reality with the departure of the men, the expectation of the women and the hope of the return, internal exile, the massacres of innocent victims, the hopes of a better future or simply regained peace.
Reservations strongly recommended by telephone at +02 (51)42 96 20 XNUMX XNUMX.
Performance dates:
- Friday June 30, 2023, Friday July 21, 2023, Friday August 18, 2023 and Friday September 15, 2023 at 20:30 p.m.
- Sunday July 2, 2023, Sunday July 23, 2023, Sunday August 20, 2023 and Sunday September 18, 2023 at 16:30 p.m.
The visits
The unusual visit
Vincent is a treasure seeker, dive with this adventurer into the heart of Charette's epic in the forest of Grasla and the Vendée War. Advance with him from stage to stage in the village! Will you find the treasure?
The interactive visit
Thanks to a device of digital tablets, discover the Refuge de Grasla from a new angle, by immersing yourself in the daily life of refugee families with the help of unpublished videos and audios. You will discover the fears and hopes of these Vendée families who fled the Republican army and hastily built a village in which to take refuge.
Exhibition
Come and discover a permanent exhibition at the refuge with the work of Jacky Couband: animal sculpture in wicker.
Children's entertainment
As part of children's adventures in the Bocage Vendée with the Club des intrépides, the Refuge de Grasla offers 2 activities:
In search of nature with Benoix
Nice, a new inhabitant at the Refuge de Grasla! Solve puzzles and challenges to discover this mischievous character. A friendly adventure where laughter, cooperation and sharing will be there. Fun activity to enjoy with the family.
The five senses
Where are you ? Can you hear me ? Do you see me ? Find all the birdhouses hidden in the heart of the village to help Lily regain her five senses. Treasure hunt for children from 3 to 5 years old.
Educational workshops
Introduce your students to music, tales and the environment, it is possible at the Refuge de Grasla through the discovery of Sergei Prokovief's musical tale "Pierre et Le Loup". Musical instruments become characters that come alive in the imagination of the youngest.
Peter and the wolf in the land of Grasla
For the older ones, nature workshops are offered: the children discover the main species, the anatomy of a tree or even the forestry trades. They can also make one or more objects from natural elements. History workshops are also offered: the historical visit or the labyrinth of mysteries.
The Vendée War
1789, the Revolution established a new government, but the disappointments are great despite the establishment of a new social order.
The Convention was quickly denounced
The Clergy must take the oath “in the presence of the municipal officers, the people and the clergy; the oath to be faithful to the nation, to the law and to the king and to maintain with all his power the constitution”. A “civilian” clergy is constituted. That is to say that the priests are appointed by the “voters” of their parish and no longer by the clergy. These first measures worried the peasants and were refused by the Pope.
Mass lifting
1793: France is at war and lacks men. On February 24, the Convention orders the raising en masse of 300 volunteer men to fight. The Vendeans, the Bretons, the Normans are refractory to this compulsory conscription. Their refusal generates tensions. On March 000, 3, in Cholet, the police intervened during the drawing of conscripts. On March 1793, 13, for the first time, bands armed with pikes, pitchforks or scythes and carrying the white cockade attacked the police and the authorities.
The military Vendée
The rebellion was truly organized only in Vendée and south of the Loire, it was the beginning of the War of Vendée.'
Learn more
| Prices | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|
| Individual rate adult |
8 € | - |
| Individual rate child |
5 € | - |
| Individual rate child |
3 € | - |
