The daily 30-minute shows at the Château de Tiffauges are great fun. Medieval artillery fire, fights and jousting, interaction with the public are all part of a lovely day or afternoon spent at the castle. Cost: part of entry ticket.

From their website: “In the year of grace 1373, in the midst of the Hundred Years War, Maester Jehan, an eminent engineer in siege engines, took refuge in Tiffauges after his village was burned down by the English. Collected within the training camp, he puts his mastery at the service of his hosts and will be brought to meet the Constable of France Bertrand du Guesclin who, in full reconquest of Poitou, stops at the Castle to obtain help in order to improve the performance of its siege engines. But an English detachment is also on the way, coveting his precious knowledge.”

On your Vendée visit, don’t miss Château de Tiffauges! Plenty of pic-nic spots around.

Image courtesy of Vendée Expansion, used with permission