Historial de la Vendée

Over het museum

The Département de la Vendée created the Historial de la Vendée, whose museography was designed by its departmental museum conservation service. The programme was presented to the departmental assembly at the end of 1998, the scientific and cultural project was approved in 1999 and included in the State-Region plan contract in 2000. A first architectural competition was declared unsuccessful in 2001; the second, in 2002, was won by the Plan 01 agency. Construction began in 2003 and the museum opened to the public on June 25, 2006.

The building stands on the banks of the Boulogne, in a sensitive natural area, and is set into the slope. Its green roof of about 8,000 m² makes it almost disappear into the landscape. Steel, glass and concrete make up the façade and structure, and a technical lighting grid above the galleries allows the exhibitions to be changed.

The museum was conceived as a new kind of venue, inspired by North American models: interactivity, new technologies, theatrical staging and a welcome for very young children. Six galleries trace more than 7,000 years of the region’s history, from prehistory to the early 20th century, with a focus on the Vendée War. The site also includes a children’s museum, an auditorium and the Mémorial de la Vendée.

Hoogtepunten

• Six galleries covering more than 7,000 years of Vendée history
• Gallery devoted to the Vendée War
• Children’s museum of 265 m² on the theme of the tree
• Partly sunken building with a green roof of about 8,000 m²
• Tablet-based games trail for ages 9 to 15

Vaste collectie

• Les six salles de l'Historial – A route from prehistory to the early 20th century across six galleries: Prehistory, Antiquity, the Middle Ages, the early modern period, the Vendée War and the 19th century.
• Le musée des enfants – An interactive 265 m² route on the role of trees in nature, with sets and hands-on activities for the youngest visitors.

Opgericht

2006

Beheerder

Département de la Vendée

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

The full and reduced prices do not appear in the text of the rates page. Free entry for teachers, journalists, museum professionals (ICOM card), tour guides, donors, members of the museum’s Friends association, holders of the AGCCPF card, residents of Les Lucs-sur-Boulogne (with proof), childminders and foster carers on professional outings. Payment by bank card, cheque, cash and ANCV holiday vouchers. The Pass Vendée gives unlimited access for one year to nine cultural sites in the department.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk: geen informatie
• Lift: geen informatie
• Aangepast toilet: geen informatie
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

Free loan, against ID, of an induction hearing loop, a large-print visitor guide and wheelchairs. Sign-language tours with interpreters and sensory tours are planned for each temporary exhibition, and others can be arranged on request. Accessible parking is in the car park between the Historial and the Mémorial; the Historial entrance is about 300 m away. Guide dogs are admitted on the site.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Doe- en voelstations

The children’s museum offers a free, interactive route around the tree across 265 m² (theme “Il était une fois l’Arbre”, until December 31, 2026). Tablet trails for ages 9 to 11 (“Le XIXe siècle en Vendée”) and 12 to 15 (“L’affaire Robuchon”), and the game “Mission Historial : les infiltrés” with a bag and notebook. Guided tours, storytelling and activities during the school holidays.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

By car: from Nantes (50 km) via the A83, then the D763 and D7; from La Roche-sur-Yon (22 km) via the D763 towards Nantes, exit Les Lucs-sur-Boulogne (D937). Cycling access is described on the “Nature, vélo et rando” page.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museumwinkel

The Café de l’Historial, overlooking the park, serves sandwiches, hot dishes, desserts and drinks, along with five lunch menus including a children’s menu; high chairs, bottle warming on request, picnic blankets and deckchairs to borrow in summer. The museum shop is presented on the website.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Zakelijke evenementen

The reception area, meeting rooms and auditorium are available year-round for general meetings, corporate seminars, presentations and receptions. Requests via the online form or by phone at 02 28 85 77 77.

Je bezoek plannen