Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #350921 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-27
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Synopsis
Written by the author of "Undiscovered France", this title includes feature boxes on local food and beverage, other local produce, attractions for families and children, and what to do if it rains.

Customer Reviews

The Vendée - sold!
This book is an excellent companion for any trip to this region of France as a holiday destination in its own right rather than a stop-off place on the way south. I love Judy Smith's books - her extensive knowledge and true enthusiasm for her subject matter are worn lightly in an easy, very readable written style. This one is no exception. Very attractively laid out and well-illustrated, the book is packed with descriptions of things to do - visit a mussel farm, go bird-watching in one of the many reserves listed, find out how salt is extracted from the marshes or cognac made, for example - as well as many interesting places like La Rochelle, Noirmoutier and Saintes. Famous people and historical events are brought to life throughout, with touches of humour and a story-teller's gift for relaying legends and folk-tales of the region. Overall, the book divides the region into 6 sections and each of these has its own clear summary of places to visit and useful contacts. All this and quirky extras too - find out about James Bond's favourite egg or windmill semaphore! Whatever your interests - ancient abbeys, coastal recreations, revolutionary history or just local food and drink - this book is a real treasure.

Competent guidebook for the region
Having just holidayed in the Charente-Maritime, this was the only English guidebook I found to cover it in any detail - the first half of this book covers the Vendee, the latter half the region I visited.

The text was useful and up to date with all the major sights of the area covered. The maps were rather basic compared with other guidebooks, but were just about sufficient to orient yourself.
My main quibble is the photographs. Although full of colour illustrations which show the sights and features, they lack in pizazz - the skies are hazy, not brilliant blue and the colours are slightly old-fashioned in tone. But as I said before, I couldn't find another English guidebook to give this amount of detail.

A competent if uninspiring guidebook - maybe I should have trusted my French and got a Michelin green guide to go with it.

Rather dull...
I'm sorry but I can't agree with many of the other reviews of this book. I found it dull and largely unhelpful.

The book is a wordy narrative of the area in an old fashioned style as if the author is taking a slow tour through all the towns and villages, regardless of whether they are of any interest or not. The author is obviously quite interested in the history of the area, but rather dismissive of many of the family oriented attractions.

What it doesn't really tell you is much of the basic information you need, especially if you have children - for example where to find the best beaches, where the good restaurants are, what to do with the kids on a wet day. No suggested tours or highlights.

I guess we're spoilt by modern guide books such as the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide series, but this book really isn't in the same league.