 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Members area |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
Where is Fontenay-le-Comte?
The City
Photographs of Fontenay can be viewed at Palatine’s Village Hall in the Administration Department. Business & IndustryFontenay's Chamber of Commerce Industrial growth in Fontenay over the last forty years is impressive, producing everything from French bread by the Albatross company to high tech electronics. The French yacht sailing in the America’s Cup race was built under high security in a specialized marine company in Fontenay. Fashion has become a mainstay in Fontenay. Often when a label reads, "Made in France" it could easily have read, "Made in Fontenay-le-Comte". Marie Pirsch is highly regarded throughout France for her precise manufacturing in high fashion. She regularly produces fashion items and clothing for Chanel in Paris. Another business in Fontenay is Torpedo, which manufactures hats and headgear. Artists & WritersJean Chevolleau is an artist from Fontenay who has gained an international reputation. A sample of his artwork can be found in the Palatine Village Hall offices. The writer, Georges Simenon, creator of the character Maigret had lived in Fontenay. Raymond Queneau, one of the most original surrealist writers wrote the novel, "A Rude Winter." In "My Mother’s Accent", writer and art historian Michel Ragon, who grew up on Fontenay, paints captivating pictures of the city. La Biennale (Biannual Celebration)Fontenay hosts a biennial celebration inviting all five of its sister cities: Gaoua in Burkina Faso, West Africa; Krotoszyn in Poland; Diosig in Romania; Crevillent in Spain and Palatine in the United States. The highlight of the event is two parades; one in the morning and one at night, in which the floats are beautifully lit. Fireworks close the event after midnight. This celebration draws thousands of French people from the surrounding communities. During the 2002 celebration, Palatine presented a gift of several trees to replace those that had been lost in a winter storm with hurricane-like winds. The three trees were generously donated by the Rotary Club of Palatine, the Salt Creek Park District and the Village of Palatine. The trees were planted in Fontenay’s Sister City Garden, a park-like setting behind their Village Hall. This biennial celebration is held in Fontenay-le-Comte on even years; the next celebration will be in late May - early June 2008. (Would you like to join our contingent? For information on traveling to Fontenay, please contact Susan Minott.) |
LinksFontenay-le-Comte Ville de Fontenay - The city of Fontenay-le-Comte's web site Les Villes et Pays d'art et d'histoire - Take a trip through the art and history of Fontenay
Pays de Fontenay-le-comte - Tourism information in French and English from the Offices de Tourisme et Communauté des communes du pays de Fontenay-le-Comte Fontenay Tourism (in French) News from Fontenay-le-Comte - Sign up to receive daily e-mails from the newspaper Ouest-France Météo/Weather: Vendée Fontenay-le-Comte is located in the Département
of Vendée (85) (pronounced "vahn-DAY") and is part
of the larger region known as Pays-de-la-Loire
(18). Points of Interest in Fontenay-le-ComteThe 16th century Chateau de Terre-Neuve is classified as a historical monument and is open for tours. Nearby Places of InterestWine CountryNumerous wineries and vineyards dot the French landscape, whose weather is perfect for growing grapes. Fontenay is in the middle of "Wine Country", which proudly produces Pinot and Pisset wines. l'Abbaye de Nieul-sur-l'Autise / The Royal Abbey of St. VincentThe Abbey of Nieul sur l’Autise was founded in 1068. In the 12th century it was granted the status of Royal Abbey by Eleanor of Aquitaine, then queen of France. The abbey’s Romanesque cloister is the only one in western France to have been preserved intact. It features fantastic wood carving and beautiful sculptures. A courtyard next door is surrounded by the monks’ quarters. Tours are available in several languages, including English. l'Abbaye de Maillezais / the Abbey of MaillezaisThis Benedictine abbey, once the burial place of the dukes of Aquitaine, was built in 1003 on an island in the Golfe des Pictons and is architecturally unlike any other in Poitou Saintonge. This castle was built in the 1100s. The door was originally on another castle in northern France. There are several buildings on this site, including the castle, an underground salt room, cooking area and graveyard. le Marais Poitevin / the Poitou MarshesA trip through the Marais Poitevin by boat provides a leisurely view of the countryside and the flora and fauna. It offers incredible landscapes of canals winding through a natural setting and is known as "the Green Venice" (la Venise verte). VouvantThis quaint French town is just outside of Fontenay. Seaside City of La Rochelle / La Rochelle (in English)LaRochelle is a city located less than an hour’s drive from Fontenay and is the hub of arts activity. This is the place to see dance, music, ballet and other art performances, many of which have been produced in Paris. Artists create chalk drawings on the plaza and there are hundreds of shops to visit. It is a wonderful place to walk the day away. There are 365 restaurants in La Rochelle. The city is located directly on the Atlantic Ocean; there are many sailboats to see in its harbor. Les Sables d'Olonne / Les Sables d'Olonne (in English)Fine sandy beaches facing due south, 10km of wild coastline, forests, dunes and marshes and lots of sunshine. |
Fontenay-le-Comte is a three-hour drive Southwest of Paris, or a two-hour
ride on the new TGV fast train from Paris (traveling 120 miles per hour).
It is about 25 miles east of the Atlantic Coast, although 1000 years ago
it was a sea coast village at the mouth of the Vendee River. At that time
the land in the region was very swampy.
Fontenay consists of three concentric cities; the inner city is the old
walled town dating from the Middle Ages, surrounded by the Renaissance
growth around the walls where commerce and culture thrived in the 15th
and l6th centuries. Encircling that is the modern industrial and high tech
area developed since 1960.
Fontenay's Chamber
of Commerce