The Vendee is a region with a rich historical past, and a Vendee camping holiday is an excellent way to discover the region's rich heritage. With a range of campsites and accommodation to choose from, you can enjoy a range of cultural activities as you learn about the history of the region you are holidaying in.
The Abbeys of Nieul sur l'Autise and Maillezais
There are two abbeys in Vendee which have particular historical significance, and would be a great starting point to discover the region's history while camping in Vendee. The Abbey of Nieul sur l'Autise was founded in 1068, and became the Royal Abbey of Eleanor of Aquitaine in the 13th century. As you walk through the abbey grounds, you will feel the ancient atmosphere of years gone by, and it is well worth a visit when on a Vendee camping holiday.
The abbey is one of the few remaining monastic churches which still contain a church, cloisters and monastic buildings, and it houses the only remaining Romanesque quarter in France. You can step back in time in this ancient abbey, when paying it a visit on a Vendee camping holiday. You can also attend the Abbey Festival, where classical and sacred music is performed, and during the summer months you can journey through history every Thursday on the Jeudis de la Saint-Jacques tour.
The Abbey of Maillezais is a Benedictine abbey, both beautiful and historic. This is an interesting trip to make when camping in Vendee, and is definitely worth the effort. It was the former burial place of the dukes of Aquitaine, and was built on an island in the Golfe de Pictons in 1003. It became common for artists and writers to retreat to this abbey, and the likes of Francois Rabelais were known to seek solitude within its walls. Climb to the top of the esplanade for a magnificent view of the remains of the cathedral and seven halls towering above the ground.
The Historial de la Vendee at Les Lucs sur Boulogne
Allow yourself to be transported back to prehistoric times, and experience a journey through history to the present day. On a 3,500m² estate, you will meet the early Neolithic hunters alongside the humanists of the Renaissance period. You can wander through a village from a century gone by, and stroll down a street from the Gallo-Roman era. This fascinating attraction will make for an interesting day out when on a Vendee camping holiday, with a whole world of history just waiting to be discovered.
The Logis de la Chabotterie at Saint Sulpice le Verdon
A trip to this interesting historical park is sure to be an enlightening experience when camping in Vendee. Enter the world of the gentility that lived in the countryside in the pre-revolution years. This historic site marks the end of the War of Vendee, with 10 furnished rooms including sounds effects and a formal, enclosed garden.
If you're camping in Vendee in the summer, this trip could be particularly enjoyable, with carriage rides and guided tours in period costume, a fun day out for the whole family.
Lorraine Waddell is the brand and advertising manager of Canvas Holidays, one of the leading European camping and mobile home holiday operators in the UK. With over 40 years of experience, Canvas offer superb Vendee Camping holidays as well as trips to Spain, Italy and a total of 9 European countries.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/historical-activities-in-vendee-1079666.html