I always fancied living in a thatched cottage! But in the meantime, I can visit La Bourrine du Bois Juquaud in St Hilaire de Riez to get a taste of things as they were at the turn of the 20th century.
This living museum is a collection of mud buildings covered in reeds and is situated near the marshes of St Hilaire de Riez.
The visit to the bourrine takes about an hour in all, last time we visited, they handed out cups of warm, fresh & frothy cows’ milk, and my then three year old dragged me up onto the open air dance floor for an accordian accompanied Vendée jig, the things you do for love…definitely worth the detour!
There is a multimedia room as you go in with lots of info & photos.
Opening Calendar
In April, the site is open from Tuesday to Sunday afternoons only, 2 to 6 pm.
May, June & Sept, open Mon to Sat from 10 am to 12 noon, closed for lunch, then open from 2 to 6 pm, Sundays and bank holidays open from 3 to 7 pm.
July & August, open Mon to Sat from 10 am to 12.30 pm, and from 2 to 7 pm, Sundays & bank holidays from 3 to 7 pm. Guided visits at 10.30 am & 3 pm (in French).
Tarifs 2010
- Adults 2.80 €
- children 11 to 18 :1.80 €
- under 11’s go free!
And if you are armed with your Pass « Côte de Lumière »,valid for 2 adults, it’s only 2.30 € each to get in.
