Le Daviaud – écomusée du Marais breton vendéen

About the museum

The Le Daviaud project emerged in the 1970s from the wish of several local players to preserve the Marais breton vendéen and its culture. From 1976, the departmental curator of the Vendée museums looked for a site for an ecomuseum, with the support of the folk group Tap dou Païe and the town of Saint-Jean-de-Monts. The Daviaud farm in La Barre-de-Monts was chosen; the intercommunal syndicate bought it in 1979 and began the works. A first exhibition on the maraîchin costume opened on June 15, 1982, and most of the buildings visible today were in place by 1985.

A modern reception building was added in 2000, and the site received the “Musée de France” label in 2003. Le Daviaud closed in September 2015 for a year and a half of renovation work. The “Nouveau Daviaud”, with renewed and more interactive museography, opened in May 2017. The museum is run by the Communauté de communes Océan Marais de Monts, which also coordinates four other heritage sites in the area.

The visit begins with the “Le marais et les hommes” gallery and continues along a one-kilometer outdoor trail covering 6 hectares: salt pans still in operation, a farm with heritage-breed animals, a kitchen garden, reconstructed bourrines and buildings devoted to music, singing and dancing.

Highlights

• “Le marais et les hommes” exhibition gallery
• One-kilometer outdoor trail with salt pans and farm
• Reconstructed bourrines of two maraîchin families
• Farm animals of heritage breeds, including the maraîchine cow
• Activities and demonstrations of traditional skills, April to September
• Bird observatory, accessible from the parking lot

Permanent exhibitions

• Galerie « Le marais et les hommes » – Introductory exhibition explaining how the Marais breton formed and works, from wet meadows to salt marshes and freshwater marshes.
• Parcours extérieur et bourrines – One-kilometer trail with the salt pans, the farm, the kitchen garden and the bourrines of Louise and Thoïa, showing the life of two maraîchin families in the 20th century.

Founded

1982

Operated by

Communauté de communes Océan Marais de Monts

Visitors per year

approx. 31,834

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month, except in July and August

Prices vary by period; the lowest full price is shown. February 7 – April 3, 2026: €5 (gallery and outdoor trail). April 4 – September 20, 2026: €10 (including outdoor exhibition areas and activities), €8 until May 29 due to work in one building. September 21 – November 1, 2026: €7. The Pass avantages gives access to reduced rates, e.g. €6 from September 21 to November 1. Ticket valid all day. Payment by cash, bank card, check, Chèques-Vacances and ANCV.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The whole trail and all buildings are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility and to strollers. Three parking spaces near the entrance are reserved, with a guidance strip and an audio terminal. The reception desk has an induction loop. Two wheelchairs and five seat canes are lent free of charge on request. An audio-described tour is available via a QR code. The site is working toward the Tourisme et Handicap label.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Workshops for children aged 4 to 6 and 7 to 11, and “Rendez-vous des petits” for ages 2 to 4, by booking only. Games and subtitled videos along the trail. Umbrella strollers can be lent. Two toilets have a baby changing table. A “Club des Petits Maraîchins” is presented on the website.

Getting there & parking

The ecomuseum is not served by public transport. It holds the “Accueil Vélo” label, and a repair kit is available at reception. Information on train stations, carpool areas and charging stations is published on the website.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Museum shop at reception. Shaded terrace for a drink. Restaurant “Les Madones du Marais” from late June to mid-September, serving local, organic and homemade food. Picnic area under a pergola. The website does not mention Wi-Fi for visitors.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit