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| Vendée | |
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| Missing image Blason_france_Vendée_petit.jpg Coat of Arms de la Vendée Details | |
| Information | |
| Number | 85 |
| Region | Pays de la Loire |
| Prefecture | La Roche-sur-Yon |
| Subprefecture | Fontenay-le-Comte Les Sables-d'Olonne |
| Population | Ranked 45th
80 /km² |
| Area | 6,720 km² |
| Arrondissements | 3 |
| Cantons | 31 |
| Communes | 282 |
| President of the general council | Philippe de Villiers |
| Location | |
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Vendée is a département in west central France, on the Atlantic's Bay of Biscay. The name Vendée is taken from the Vendée river which runs through the south-eastern part of the département.
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Administration
History
The area today called the Vendée was originally known as the Bas-Poitou. In the south-east corner, the village of Nieul-sur-l'Autise is believed to be the birthplace of Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) and was part of her Kingdom. Eleanor's son, Richard I of England (the Lionhearted) often based himself in Talmont. The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) turned much of the Vendée into a battleground.
Since the Vendée held a considerable number of influential Protestants, including control by Jeanne d'Albret, the region was also greatly marked by the 36-year French Wars of Religion which broke out in 1562. Eventually King Henri IV, issued the Edict of Nantes and the Wars came to an end. When the Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685, it caused many Huguenots to flee from the Vendée.
It is also remembered as the place where the peasants revolted against the Revolutionary government in 1793. The bloody conflict, in support of the Monarchy and against the changes imposed on the Roman Catholic Church erupted in defiance of the Revolutionary government's military conscription. A guerrilla war, led by an underground faction known as the Chouans (screech owls), known as the Revolt in the Vendée and would cost more than 100,000 lives until it ended in 1796.
In 1850, British author, Anthony Trollope, published his book "La Vendee" detailing the history of the region and the war. In the preface he pays tribute to Madame de Larochejaquelein on whose memoirs of the war he based his story.
Geography
Vendée's highest point is Mont Mercure (935 feet/285 m).
The department is crossed by four rivers: the Sèvre Nantaise (135 km), the Vendée (70 km), the Lay (110 km) and the Sèvre Niortaise (150 km).
Economy
The economy of the Vendée is centred around tourism, with the seaside resorts of Les Sables, La Tranche and La Faute being popular with both foreign and domestic tourists. Agriculture, food processing and light manufacturing are also important. In recent years the area around Mareuil-sur-Lay has grown in stature for its production of good quality white and rose wines. Having already acheived the appellation V.D.Q.S (Vins de Qualité Superieure) the wines of Les Fiefs Vendéens are (http://www.paysmareuillaisvendee.com/officeTourisme/fiefsVendeens_gb.htm) on their way towards A.O.C status (Appellation d’Origine Controlée).
Demographics
Vendée's inhabitants are referred to as Vendeans (French Vendéens).
Culture
With more than 100 miles of sandy beaches edged with dunes and pine woods, and a very mild climate, Vendée is today a popular tourist destination. There is an extensive nude beach just south of La Faute sur Mer on the Pointe d'Arçay. The département also boasts many churches and abbeys, museums, and - for nature lovers - there are thousands of marked footpaths, a signposted bicycle route running along the coastal mudflats, and marshes that attract unusual birds. Fishing is popular in the ocean or in the Vendée's rivers and lakes.
External link
- Conseil Général's website (http://www.vendee.fr/) (in French)
de:Vendée eo:Vendeo fr:Vendée it:Vandea nl:Vendée pl:Wandea sv:Vendée