La Roche-sur-Yon is a town in the centre of the Vendée department of north-west France. It is the prefecture town for the department, and part of the Loire-Atlantique region.

Explore La Roche-sur-Yon

France This Way review: although there is not a great deal to see in the town, we enjoyed a visit to the centre of La Roche-sur-Yon to see the gardens with their automated wildlife and to stroll around the shopping area.

You can find the tourist office in the large open square next to the market near the rear of the main church. You can ask for a map of the town in the tourist office to help you find the less prominent attractions.

The centre of any visit to La Roche-sur-Yon will be the Place Napoléon. This is one of the largest open squares in France and, as well as the interesting buildings around the edges of the square you can explore the gardens that fill much of the central part of the square.

The square contains several large ornamental ponds, and these contain animals such as a hippo, an owl and others that contain mechanisms so that, at a push of a button, they move, make noises and squirt water. These are very will done and children of all ages will be interested.

The gardens of the square are also nicely maintained and in the centre of the square there is a large statue of Napoléon.

On one edge of the square you can see the most imposing church in La Roche-sur-Yon, even if it is not very old and does not look much like a church - the Church Saint-Louis was built in the 19th century in the neoclassical style with a facade that is inspired by Roman temples, with a row of 6 large stone columns beneath a triangular fronton.

The church Saint-Louis is the largest church in the Vendée department, up to 71 metres long and 51 metres wide.

The interior of the church is nicely decorated although more traditional in style, with a large central nave separated from the two side aisles by large stone columns. The furnishings, paintings and stained glass windows are all typical of the 19th century.

Elsewhere on the edge of the Place Napoléon you can see the Town Hall from 1810 and the original Justice Palace from 1815, also in the style of a neo-classical temple. The Justice Palace is now a local museum, celebrating painting, photography and graphic art since the 19th century.

As you continue to stroll through the town centre in La Roche-sur-Yon you will come across other interesting and historic buildings such as the Préfecture and an impressive building that was owned by La Poste. This was built in the art deco style in the early years of the 20th century - as well as the main structure of the building, take a look at the style of the canopy above ther entrance.

Opposite the préfecture there is a pleasant small park

Rather hidden in a side street to the side of the tourist office you can find the oldest house in the town, a townhouse dating from 1566 and built over three stories in a simple renaissance style.

Now behind a small park area, the Italian Theatre is also in the neoclassical style featuring a row of columns and has been recently restored.

Also here in the centre of La Roche-sur-Yon you will find a long shopping street and a good selection of cafes and restaurants.

There is another imposing church in La Roche-sur-Yon on Rue Blériot, the Church of the Sacred Heart. Although this church at first glance appears traditional, it was actually constructed through the middle of the 20th century and incorporates various architectural styles and elements.

Attractions nearby

Most of the attracions in Vendée are on the coast, well known for its long sandy beaches, with resorts such as Les Sables d'Olonne and Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie but closer to La Roche-sur-Yon you will enjoy a visit to the Chateau de Talmont - during the summer various events are held in the castle, but it can be visited at other times of the year.