A Shaggy Donkey Story: Delightful Donkeys In Vendee

I dare you to look at this donkey and not feel good! It's the unmistakable Poitou donkey, larger and bigger boned than the average donkey and with the most wonderful shaggy coat. Not only that but it's a donkey with a lovely temperament and that makes it ideal for children to be around.

I took this photo of a dozing Poitou donkey when visiting the Île de Ré in the Vendee.

If you don't know Île-de-Ré, it's just off the coast from the lovely, historic and medieval city of La Rochelle. You reach it by the most amazing curved bridge which stretches out up and over the sea to reach the island.

Île-de-Ré is extemely busy in the summer but in late Spring or early autumn it is much easier to get around, easier to park and find a good restaurant or just sip a glass of wine or coffee at a small bar.

Now, back to the donkeys! Ever since reading 'Ned The Lonely Donkey' as a child I have been captivated by this breed of animal but when I saw the Poitou donkeys on Île-de-Ré, I realized this was a donkey a cut above the rest. So I studied a bit about their history and was amazed to find that they were bred to be as they are purely to ensure a stronger, bigger breed of mule for the Poitou landowners, merchants and farmers.

Apart from their size and shaggy coat, you might ask what's with the trousers? Again, to understand this you need to delve into the history of the Poitou donkey. When working in the salt flats of the Vendée and Charente Maritime, they needed protection against mosquito bites and the trousers was what their owners came up with. So if anyone thinks they've been dressed up for fun, think again - it was out of love for their donkeys that their owners originally took up the idea.

Photos and more detail on the Poitou donkey's history can be found on the following pages:
https://www.poitou-charentes-vendee.com/2015/10/13/donkeys-ile-de-re/
http://www.pets4homes.co.uk/pet-advice/the-poitou-donkey-the-biggest-breed-in-the-world.html

Puy du Fou - A Must See Attraction In The Vendée

The Vendée has much to offer the visitor - anyone who has enjoyed a good holiday in the Vendée will know that already. Not only are there miles of sandy beaches with surfing waves rolling in from the Atlantic Ocean but there are many activities to suit the widest range in tastes and interests.

Roman Coliseum Spectacle At Puy du Fou

One of the most popular and 'must see' attractions in the Vendée is the Puy du Fou. Its appeal is for all the family and, having been there, I can vouch for it offering one of the most colourful, enjoyable and spectacular days out you could ever imagine. Full of pageant, theatre, history and drama, the events at Puy du Fou never cease to amaze its visitors which is why it's no surprise to learn that many deem it the world's best theme park. No small accolade!

The major events staged each year are based on Roman, Viking, French and Medieval history with dramatized re-enactments of key events that took place in real life. You can be a spectator in a Roman coliseum and watch gladiators fighting and chariot races and you can witness medieval knights jousting and a medieval battle taking place with a castle under siege. There is so much at Puy du Fou that it's hard to describe it all in a single post!

To read more about this amazing Vendéen theme park here is a page of information on Puy du Fou including a great photo gallery on the Roman Gladiators.