LE DAVIAUD

Le Daviaud takes its name from its location which is just outside La Barre de Monts. Come and experience the wonderful immersion into nature that awaits you!

When you come through the doors of Le Daviaud, you enter the world of the Breton Vendée marshes, a protected nature reserve, both authentic and poetic.
The adventure starts in 250 m² of indoor exhibition: “The marshes and its Inhabitants”. The modern and lively exhibits have been devised to make the exhibition accessible to everyone, including children. Le Daviaud is part of the ‘Musée de France’ network and will tell you how the marshes came about, its history and its culture. Come and enjoy the fun as a family, with the interactive multimedia displays, and the chance to listen to local inhabitants telling their stories.

From April to September, the exhibition continues outside. You will get the chance to see the various landscapes of the marshes on a circuit of approx. 1km divided into 6 different areas. As you follow the path, you will be increasingly aware of the peaceful surroundings and learn a bit more about local lives and customs. The production of salt, livestock farming, the festivities and dances which took place in the big barn, and the features of daily life in Louise’s bourrine (peasant cottage).

Le Daviaud is so much more than just a museum – it is a place where you can really become immersed in your surroundings. In the high season, there is a team of guides who can help you take that experience a little bit further. There are a variety of demonstrations and workshops where you can really get to encounter life as one of its inhabitants - les maraîchins. You can learn the steps of a traditional dance, watch the baker as he makes a loaf, or make your own butter. You can find out about the technique needed to pole-vault across the waterways, or how to care for the animals on the farm. In summer, there are special evening sessions which give you the chance to discover this place from a different perspective.

Le Daviaud has the following facilities:

The whole of the exhibition space – both interior and exterior – is accessible for those with all types of disability – mobility, visual, hearing or learning difficulties.
Le Daviaud is part of the Accueil Velo scheme. On the edge of the site there is a picnic area with a tyre inflation station making it an excellent stopping point as part of a cycle tour.

So – in between spending time at the seaside, why not try a different sort of day, discovering the Breton Vendée marshes.