and Villages of the Vendee
The name "Talmont" appears for the first time in a text of 1025.
In the thirteenth century, it was found in two entries: "Talemont" and

and Villages of the Vendee
The name "Talmont" appears for the first time in a text of 1025.
In the thirteenth century, it was found in two entries: "Talemont" and
"Thalmont. According to linguists, the origin of the name would be
pre-Indo-European: "Tala" means "earth, clay" and reveal the presence of a
habitat on this site since the dawn of time.
Inhabited since the earliest
times, Talmont was by the year 1000 a famous town, with a wooden castle. In the
Middle Ages, Talmont was a stronghold, marked by an imposing castle washed by
the waves and owned by the princes of Talmont and from 1152 to 1204 by the
English. Richard the Lion Heart spent much time hunting in the nearby woods. In
1628,the castle was dismantled by order of Cardinal Richelieu. Over time, the
sea withdrew, leaving the town of Talmont sleeping and dreaming of his it's past
reputation. Today, the ruins of the castle still dominate the town. As Talmont
was once a port before the sea receded it was natural to build the castle with
stone from the nearby coast, if you examine the walls you will find that the
majority of the stone are well rounded by the sea's action.
Guittiere. Though Talmont St.Hilaire had once been a port, with the
sea recceding that function was taken over by this charming little port on the
river Payre. From the little port which specialises in the culture of oysters to
the sea is probibly the Vendees most spectacular seascape. The estuary of the
Payre with its sweep of sand dunes and pine forest behind to the north and the
rocky coast line with the nature park of point du Payre to the south it can be
simply breath taking. The area is also important as a staging post for migrating
birds and for rare flora and fauna.
interesting places to visit nearby are port-Bourgenay, a new marina complex and golf
Musee Automobile de Vendee, collection of motor car and bikes
Plage du Veillon, one of the Vendees finest
details on visiting the castle
The Town of
Talmont St hilaire has other attraction besides the Chateau.
On the edge of
town is a large leisure lake with goods walks around, a children's play area in
the shape of castles and boats and a good sailing school.
There are a good
variety of restaurants and shops and many old and intersting