Initiation To The Vendee
Angela Bird is a writer who has had a property in The Vendee for many years and has written books on the subject. She also has a very interesting Web Page which has helped me a lot in finding out those little things like how to look after your 'fosse septique'.
Her website is: www.the-vendee.co.uk
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There is a handy little book that can be very useful to an Englishman in France. It is The English - French Dictionary of Building, Property and Gardening. by J. Kater Pollock and Lynne Forbes
It can only be obtained direct from the writers at:
Flowerpoll, 2 Kenwood Gardens, Linton, Cambridge CB1 6UR, England
When I bought it, it was £6.95 inc p&p. Very good value.
N.B. Since I first posted this someone has contacted me to say it may now be out of print.
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The following places are ones that I have found useful around La Chataigneraie.
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Agence Melusine, 13 rue du Duc d'Aquitaine, 85120 Vouvant, Vendee, France.
Website: www.agencemelusine.com Telephone: 02 51 00 82 54 Fax: 02 51 00 44 37
This is the office of Jeremy Legeard the Estate Agent (Immobilier) who helped me a lot and always has lots of reasonably price properties in all conditions for sale. (Advert)
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Rene Coue 1 rue Marechal de Lattre de Tassigny, 85120 La Chataigneraie, Vendee, France
(in the main street not far from the church)
For all of your new and used television, video and radio requirements Rene and his son Phillipe are excellent, they also supply and fit satellite dishes (paraboles)
and free-to-air receivers covering the Astra satellite so you can get all of the BBC channels and lots more.
Telephone: 02 51 52 62 09. They do speak very good english but Rene's wife doesn't who may answer as she works in the shop.
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Briconautes is the local bricolage (like B & Q), situated next to the 'Super U' in La Chataigneraie it is run by the same people as before but it is a bit bigger.
It is a D.I.Y shop rather like B&Q in England, everything is a bit dearer but good quality and the staff are always very helpful.
52 Avenue du General de Gaulle, 85120 La Chataigneraie
Telephone: 02 51 87 84 97, Fax: 02 51 52 72 66, E-Mail bricomani@free.fr
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VM Materiaux, Z.I. la Fondaniere, La Tardiere, 85120 La Chataigneraie, Vendee.
Website: www.vm-materiaux.fr Telephone: 02 51 69 63 29 Fax: 02 51 52 67 21
This is about a mile north of the main cross roads with the traffic lights in La Chataigneraie.
It is a builders merchant that does the usual timber, doors, bricks, drainage, paving and morter and other heavy building materials.
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There is a Big Mat builders merchant on the old road north of Chantonnay, I have been there and they seem to do a lot of stuff but as yet I haven't bought anything there but it helps to know where these places are
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Moulin des Affaires is a place that does nearly everything to update your home. It sells all types of timber including staircases, laminate flooring, carpets, lino, adhesives, tools, curtains, furniture, paint, ornaments, pictures and loads of other things that I have forgotten.
It is right out in the sticks south-west of St Mesmin at Gate-Bourse, it is the only block of buildings in the area so you shouldn't miss it. It is open all year every day but sunday all day and monday morning and shuts for lunch. There is another one as Les Herbiers but I haven't been there. Telephone: 02 51 91 21 71 Website: www.moulindesaffaires.fr
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Restaurants we have tried
AUBERGE de la TERRASSE
This is a Logis de France hotel, it is family run and the meals are very good. We have stayed in the hotel which is good except for the creaking floor boards which keep you awake.
7 rue de Beauregard - 85120 La Chatigneraie
Tel 02 51 69 68 68 --- Fax 02 51 52 67 96
LE STELVIO
This is a nice restaurant and is situated next to the electrical 'white goods' shop at Antigny on the road between La Chataigneraie and Fontenay Le Comte.
I went there with some friends and the meals were excellent, we couldn't fault the place.
Tel 02 51 51 62 62
LE LION D'OR
Was the local eaterie but has naw been taken over by new owners and has been renamed:
LE RELAIS DELICE
30 rue St Jean, in the centre of La Chatiagneraie,
Specialising in regional dishes, salads, crepes and galettes.
Tel 02 51 52 67 33
Jaques and Annie Legault look forward to weloming you.
At the time of writing this I haven't yet been there but will on my next visit.
THE VENDEE CHIPPY
Traditional Fish and Chips
Handy if you want a meal to remind you of home or just for a change.
Is situated in in a van and visits different places.
Mercredi: Bar 'Auberge le St Vincent' , St Vincent Sterlanges
Jeudi: Bar 'La Rando', Mervent
Vendredi: Bar 'Au Bon Coin' , Thouarsais Bouildroux
Usually open 18h00 to 20h00
I have tried it and it was a welcome change from French gastronomy!!