Les Herbiers
Les Herbiers is a commune with 15,390 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011 ) in the department of Vendée in the Pays de la Loire. It belongs to the district of La Roche- sur -Yon, is the capital of the Canton of Les Herbiers and seat of the municipality Association Pays des Herbiers.
Geography
The municipality is located in the west of France, around 60 kilometers south-east of Nantes and about 75 kilometers from the Atlantic coast. To 88.78 km ² large municipality includes many districts and hamlets, including the architectural project Val de la Pellinière. In the northwest, the 232 m high Mont des Alouettes rises. In Les Herbiers arises from the Grande Maine, a tributary of the Sevre Nantaise.
Demographics
Culture and sights
- The Benedictine abbey was founded in 1130; it was dissolved and sold during the French Revolution. Some of the buildings were demolished, partly fed other uses. The resultant was declared in 1946 a monument historique. 1979, a small monastic community has been reintroduced.
- The Château d' Ardelay was built in the 15th century.
- The Château de l' Etenduère is only preserved as a ruin.
- The Church of Saint- Sauveur (Holy Savior ) was built in the 15th century, altered in the 19th century.
- Les Herbiers end of October is the annual venue of the famous cycling race Chrono des Nations.
Château d' Ardelay
Château de l' Etenduère
Church of Saint- Sauveur
Twinning
Les Herbiers maintains twinning
- Since 1997 with Liebertwolkwitz, a district of Leipzig in Germany
- Since 1999 with Newton in Wales
- Since 2000 with Coria in Spain