Gastronomic memories
Don't leave the Vendée without discovering the salt marshes and getting to know the salt workers who produce the salt and the fleur de sel so sought after by gastronomes! The profession of salt maker is indeed a must in this department so rich in salt marshes. Scattered between Noirmoutier and the marshes of Olonne Island, passing by those of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, the salt marshes will reveal a part of the history of the territory. And the salt workers will tell you about their job and the harvest of this precious and fragile white gold.
In addition to salt and fleur de sel, don't forget to bring back a Vendée brioche, a few bottles of Vendée wine, or a gourmet basket including the emblematic jambon-mogettes!
Artistic memories...
In Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche, a small artists' village near La Roche-sur-Yon, you will enjoy discovering unique and original works by local artists. And who knows, you might even take home one of these paintings or a creation you like? The gallery of the painter Delenne Bartholdi is worth the detour for the escape offered by the works of this travelling painter. Oils on canvas and other more original works, chalk on paper and mixed techniques on canvas and paper or on glass constitute part of the work of this artist whose works are exhibited in various museums and collections around the world, in Europe, Japan, the United States and South America.
In the same village, Marie-Christine Grangiens works with clay to create bowls, vases and other everyday objects in decorated enamel and stoneware.
Chantal Charroy-Morhange offers art ceramics and raku objects in her workshop in Saint-Florent-des-Bois.
A small painting? Go to the shopping street of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and Bernard Tessier's workshop to admire the cheerful and colorful paintings of this painter born in Brem-sur-Mer (died in 2008). An artist who dedicated his life and his work to highlight his native Vendée, but also travel and jazz. The island of Noirmoutier also likes to expose its artists to the admiring eyes of passers-by.
... and handcrafted souvenirs
Another atmosphere in Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, in the Querry-Pigeon district, where Stéphanie and Valérien Desjariges, glass blowers, open the doors of their art glassworks. You will appreciate the beautiful vases made from richly colored pastes and worked with meticulousness and precision, objects with a wide variety of shapes and a perfectly mastered aesthetic.
Art craft still, in the Breton Marsh this time, between Challans and Saint-Jean-de-Monts. There is a village of craftsmen renamed "l'île aux Artisans", Sallertaine, where are grouped around the church a multitude of trades offering themselves to the curious and amazed looks of the tourists: marker, potter, jeweler, glass blower, weaver, leather worker, wood turner, creator of games, creator of fairies...
In Nieul-sur-l'Autise, in the south of Vendée, Daniel Breillat is a basket maker and works with wicker. A great opportunity to bring back a nice basket to do the local markets during the vacations or back home.
You may not know it, but the Vendée can be proud to have the only master tanner in the Pays-de-la-Loire region: Bruno Bocquier. Installed in Commequiers, on the road to Saint-Gilles, Bruno will show you around his tannery and explain his trade.
The pottery of Nesmy, south of La Roche-sur-Yon, is also worth a visit for its earthenware made like in the past. Daniel Gaborit works with copper in Soullans. He is a copper beater and creates art copper and objects in pewter and brass.
