Journées Régionales de la Visite d’Entreprise – Open Door Days Vendée

For the fourth time since its inception, the public is offered a chance to go behind the scenes of small, medium and large companies spread throughout Pays de la Loire's departments, including our own beloved Vendée. From October 24th through 26th, sectors such as industry, craft industry, agribusinesses, building, environment, oenology, fashion, transport, services and more open their doors to the public.

What are the Journées Régionales de la Visite d’Entreprise ?


Over the course of 3 days, the group Visitez nos Entreprises and participating businesses bring the visitor to the heart of their production workshops, manufacturing laboratories,  farms and factories to showcase the quality and diversity of products created or grown in Pays de la Loire and thus, also in the Vendée.

The open doors are a unique opportunity to allow young and old, families and schoolchildren, job seekers or the  curious, to discover company histories, to get an idea of the techniques used to manufacture products we may or may not be familiar with,  to understand the organization or the production from A - Z.

This list of businesses in the Vendée participating in the Journees Regionales de la Visite d'Entrprise seemed the most interesting. Don't wait and DO make your reservations as soon as possible! 
CONSTRUCTION & EQUIPMENT
Salle de spectacles La Balise - du Pays de Saint-Gilles Croix de Vie

Opportunity to visit the building site of the future La Balise concert hall which should be completed in early 2020. The 'salle de spectacles' will have 623 seats and 1600 standing places. After its grand opening, the venue will offer a variety of cultural programming such as theater, dance, concerts and more. 
Details: 3 guided tours (1 hour) of the construction site from 6 to 15 people maximum / visit

  • Thursday 24th at 17h00
  • Friday 25th October at 17h00
  • Saturday, October 26 at 11h00

Booking from 01/10/2019
Contact: Tourist Office of the Pays de St-Gilles Croix de Vie 02 51 90 12 78 et 02 51 55 03 66
NOTE: from 12 years old (no animals or photography), wear walking shoes
Address: Rue du Guitton, 85270, Saint-Hilaire de Riez

Bourgoin SAS - Manufacturer of large industry and farm equipment

The public is invited to a screening of a film about the history of the company, a presentation of the group's activities and a visit of all its workshops.

  • Thursday 24th at 14h00 and at 16h00

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Reservations from 20/09/2019 to contact@tourisme-paysdechantonnay.fr – 02 44 40 20 06
Further information: 5 to 15 people maximum / visit
Address: Parc d'activités économiques Secteur Nord , 85480, Bournezeau

CNH Industrial France - New Holland harvesting machines

The world industry leader of agricultural machines welcomes visitors who will discover the entire process of manufacturing, from the intake of parts to the final product: the harvesting machine.

  • Thursday 24th at 09h00, 11h00, 14h00 (fully booked) and 15h00

Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
Reservations Office de Tourisme du Pays de St Gilles Croix de Vie 02 51 90 12 78 or 02 51 55 03 66
Further information: 10 to 15 people maximum / visit
Address: Route d'Aizenay, 85220, Coëx

ARTISAN PRODUCTION
Bijoux et Merveilles - Marie-Jeanne Moreau, artist jeweler

Visit the atelier of Marie-Jeanne Moreau artist jeweler - design, creation and repair 

  • Thursday 24th from 16h00 to 18h00
  • Friday 25th October from 10h00 to 12h00 and from 16h00 to 18h00
  • Saturday, October 26 from 10h00 to 12h00

Reservations: Bijouxetmerveilles@yahoo.fr  or call 06 50 92 13 80
Duration: 2 hours
Address: 32 promenade Georges Godet, 85100, Les Sables d'Olonne
Cost: 8€

Faïencerie Nistar - producer/ artisan of pottery

Visit the atelier of manufacturing the familiar "first name bowl" and explanations on the principles of ceramic casting

  • Thursday 24th at 09h00 to 10h30
  • Friday 25th October at 09h00 to 10h30 (fully booked)

Reservations: contact@bretignollessurmer-tourisme.fr OR contact@saintgillescroixdevie-tourisme.fr OR 02 51 90 12 78 OR  02 51 55 03 66
Duration: 1 hour
Address: 2 rue de l'Etoile de Mer, 85800, Saint-Gilles Croix de Vie
NOTE: no access for the less mobile
Further information: 10 to 15 people maximum / visit

La Coutellerie du Marais - artisan knife maker and forged objects

Coutellerie du Marais will open the doors of its workshop to the public with a demonstration of the forge and an explanation of the cutler craft.

  • Thursday 24th at 11h00
  • Friday 25th October at 11h30

Duration: 45 minutes
Reservations: info@maraispoitevin-vendee.com OR 02 51 87 23 01
Further information: 10 to 25 people maximum / visit
NOTE: not for people with reduced mobility
Address: 7 rue du petit port à Souil, 85420, Saint-Pierre-Le Vieux

La Savonnerie Champagne - artisan BIO soaps and cosmetics

Visit the company's atelier where cold soaps and natural cosmetics based on organic vegetable oils are crafted by hand. Visitors will see the workshop with live production, the packaging, and presentation of the different products.

  • Friday 25th October at 14h00
  • Saturday, October 26 at 10h30

Duration: 1 hour
Reservations: info@maraispoitevin-vendee.com OR 02 51 87 23 01
Further information: 10 to 25 people maximum / visit
NOTE: not for people with reduced mobility
Address: 7 rue du petit port à Souil, 85420, Saint-Pierre-Le Vieux

ARTISAN & INDUSTRIAL FOOD PRODUCTION
Musee du Chocolat - Guided visit of the laboratory and fabrication of chocolate

Immerse yourself in the history of cocoa! Includes museum tour through the history of cacao and chocolate creations, with tastings.

  • Friday 25th October from 14h00 to 19h00
  • Saturday, October 26 from 10h00 to 12h00 and from 14h00 to 19h00

Duration: 1 hours
Reservations: 02 51 24 22 40
Further information:100 people maximum / visit
NOTE: no dogs permitted
Address: 38 rue Paul Emile Victor Espace Bell, 85000, La Roche Sur Yon
Fee:  5,50€/adults 3,50 €/6 to 12 yrs old or free for under 6

La biscuiterie Valérie Vendéenne - manufacturing workspaces

Visit the workspaces and learn about the production of these well-known and liked Vendeen cookie producer; as well as the activities on a honey farm with life of a colony, the selection and the production of honey.

  • Thursday 24th from 09h30
  • Friday 25th October from 09h30
  • Saturday, October 26 from 09h30

Guided tours every 30 minutes
Booking required from: 01/10/2019
Reservations:Tourist Office of the Pays de St Gilles Croix de Vie 02 51 90 12 78 or 02 51 55 03 66
NOTE: inaccessible to wheelchairs, no dogs, no photography

La biscuiterie de la Venise Verte - manufacturing workplace

 Visitors will discover the stages of cookie making, from production to shipping of the beloved regional cookies of the Vendee.

  • Thursday 24th from 11h00

Duration: 1 hour
Reservations from 01/10/2019 to infos@maraispoitevin-vendee.com or call 02 51 87 23 01
Further information: 25 people maximum / visit
Address: 4 place des peupliers, 85420, Le Mazeau

Le Jardin de Pauline 85 - bio grower of herbs and edible flowers

The public is invited for a guided tour through the gardens and a journey of discovery of plant varieties

  • Thursday 24th at 14h00
  • Friday 25th October at 14h00
  • Saturday, October 26 at 14h00  (fully booked)

Duration: 1 hour 30 miutes
Reservations 02 51 90 12 78 or 02 51 55 03 66 OR mail contact@bretignollessurmer-tourisme.fr or contact@saintgillescroixdevie-tourisme.fr
Further information: 5 to 15 people maximum / visit
Address: The Bernardière, 85220, Coëx

Domaine Eric Sage - vintner

Opportunity for  a visit of the vineyard by horse-drawn carriage (20 min) and / or tasting of the Domaine's organic wines.

  • Thursday 24th at 16h00 and 19h00
  • Friday 25th October at 16h00 and 19h00
  • Saturday, October 26 from 10h00 to 12h30 and 16h00 and 18h00

    Duration: 1 hour
    Reservations from 01/09/2019 call 06 37 68 36 07 or mail ericsage.vigneron@orange.fr
    Further information: 10 to 15 people maximum / visit
    Address: Le Mignotière, 85470, Brem sur Mer
    Fee: € 2 tasting - € 5 / carriage ride (4 - 8 max) and tasting

    Domaine Saint-Nicolas- vintner

    Thierry Michon and his sons invites the curious to discover their wines, visit the winery and learn about biodynamics. The tour starts at the edge of the vineyards, continues in the press room and ends in front of the observatory. They will discuss the history of the estate and the production of their wines from soil conditions to marketing of the wines in France and abroad. At the end of the visit, a tasting of five vintages is proposed.

    • Friday 25th October from 10h30 to 17h30

    Duration: 1.5 hours (including tasting)
    Reservations contact@domainesaintnicolas.com or call 02 51 33 13 04
    Further information: 2 to 30 people maximum / visit
    Address: Les Clous, 85340, L'ile d'Olonne

    L’Orée du Sabia - vintner

    This young vineyard specialising in biodynamic viticulture offers a visit to the cellar followed by a tasting of its wines.

    • Thursday 24th at 10h00 and 19h00
    • Friday 25th October at at 10h00 and 19h00
    • Saturday, October 26 at 10h00 and 19h00

    Duration: 45 minutes
    Reservations contact@loreedusabia.com
    Further information: Treasure hunt in the vineyard for children 
    Address: 1A rue du Sablais, 85470, Brem-sur-Mer
    Fee: € 5 per child treasure hunt

    La Bicoque - garden and snail farm

    La Bicoque invites you for a guided tour with presentation the breeding of small gray snails for escargots, a journey through the snail parks as well as the vegetable garden with permaculture, followed by a video and tasting.

    • Thursday 24th at 10h30 and 15h00
    • Friday 25th October at 10h30 and 15h00
    • Saturday, October 26 from 10h30 to 12h00 and from 15h00 to 16h30

    Duration: 1.5 hours
    Reservations hhedoin@hotmail.com OR 06 28 25 61 46
    Further information: 30 people maximum / visit
    NOTE: plan an outfit for an outside visit depending on the weather
    Address: Chemin du Champ Clairet - The Mignotière, 85470, Brem-sur-Mer
    Fee: € 3 per person

    La Chèvrerie Sainte-Cécile - visit the goat farm

    Welcome to the goat farm whose activities are milking and the processing of goat's milk into milk, cheese, yogurts and jam. After the tour there is a tasting of the products of the farm.

    • Saturday, October 26 at 16h00

    Duration: 2 hours
    Reservations contact@tourisme-paysdechantonnay.fr OR 02 44 40 20 06
    Further information: 30 people maximum / visit
    NOTE:  people with reduced mobility are welcome; no dogs permitted
    Address: La Raudière, 85110, Sainte-Cécile

    Fleury-Michon - Mouilleron-en-Pareds

    This well known family business with multiple locations around the Vendée invites you to its location at Moulleron-en-Pareds, where freshly cooked dishes are prepare for sale around French grocery stores. Enjoy a guided tour that will allow visitors to discover the company's history, the manufacturing site, as well as sample its products.

    • Friday 25th October at 09h30

    Duration: 2.5 hours
    Reservations accueil@tourisme-paysdepouzauges.fr or call 02 51 91 82 46
    Further information: 5 to 12 people maximum / visit
    NOTE: no access for the less mobile; from age 12; must wear trousers plus remove jewelry and piercings; hygiene clothing provided.
    Address: 13 rue des Javelières, 85390, Mouilleron-en-Pareds
    Fee: € 3 per person

    Fleury-Michon - Chantonnay

    This well known family business with multiple locations around the Vendée invites you to its location at Chantonnay which prepares products of the sea for sale around French grocery stores. Enjoy a guided tour that will allow visitors to discover the company's history, the manufacturing site, as well as sample its products.

    • Friday 25th October at 09h30

    Duration: 2.5 hours
    Reservations accueil@tourisme-paysdepouzauges.fr or call 02 51 91 82 46
    Further information: 5 to 12 people maximum / visit
    NOTE: no access for the less mobile; from age 12; must wear trousers plus remove jewelry and piercings; hygiene clothing provided. 
    Address: Parc d'activités Polaris, 85110, Chantonnay
    Fee: € 3 per person

    Fish auction - Vendee port

    Take an exclusive look backstage at the business of fishing with an immersive experience in the heart of the auction from the landing and sale of fish, the coming and going of the boats, the role of the criers and fishmongers, the habits of the fishermen, the secrets of the sale, and the diversity of the fish and crustaceans caught near the Vendéen coast.

    • Thursday 24th at 06h00

    Duration: 1.5 hours
    Reservations: billetterie@otls.fr OR 02 51 96 85 78
    Further information: 20 people maximum / visit
    NOTE:  no dogs permitted; wear warm clothes and comfortable shoes
    Address: 2 Rue Colbert, 85100 Sables d'Olonne
    Fee: € 6.30 from 17 yrs old;  € 4.10 to 16 yrs old

    La Mie Câline - large bakery/ producer of pastries

    This bread, pastries, sandwich and delicatessen producer invites you to tour its only production site. Visitors will discover the bakery, pastry, and bakery workshops in production and will follow the path of a product from the creation of its recipe, to its sale in the store.

    • Thursday 24th at 10h00 and at 14h30

    Duration: 1.5 hours
    Reservations: Call Apolline at 02 51 59 19 19
    Further information: 10 to 30 people maximum / visit
    NOTE:  no dogs permitted; wear warm clothes and comfortable shoes; not suitable for people with reduced mobility
    Address: 18 rue des Essepes, ZAC du Clousis, 85160, Saint Jean de Monts

    About Visitez Nos Entreprises
    en Pays de la Loire -

    Founded in 2001, this association in Pays de la Loire, which is supported by the Region and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Pays de la Loire, is responsible for the development and promotion of tourism economic discovery.

    It brings businesses of all sizes and industry sectors together to organize visits and their know-how and their professions with the greater public.
    Website

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