Île de Ré is a beautiful island off the west coast of France known for its cobblestone streets, beautiful bike paths, and pristine beaches. It’s a pleasant 2-hour drive from Maison Coli and would make for a lovely weekend visit before or after your stay in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. Getting There: Île de Ré is an island connected by a bridge. So getting there by car is easy. Once you cross the bridge the landscape changes to wide open spaces with beautifully wild scenery You may even see a donkey or two! Donkeys are the island mascot because of the soap that is made from their milk. You’ll see many shops carrying…

Less than an hour from Maison Coli, is the marvelous Logis de la Chabotterie; a rustic-style Chateau from the late 18th century, complete with period rooms and formal French gardens.   The War of Vendée The Logis de la Chabotterie is located in the Vendée region, south of the Loire in Western France. The War of Vendée involved the “counter-revolutionaries” who were on the side of the King during the French Revolution. This is a very interesting time period that is brought to life via an interactive exhibit as the Logis which illustrates the historical events leading up to the war and its eventual conclusion which coincided with the capture…