Today we are featuring a request for a UK Twin Town from Sainte Hermine in the Vendee area of France.

Commune of the department of the Vendée in the region of the Pays de la Loire, situated in a rural environment, on a plain between marshland and countryside, 35 kms from the sea. (Atlantic ocean)

Population : 2 500 residents.

Sainte Hermine is very popular with tourists because of its geographic position (near the coast) and its warm climate.

Very easily accessible : - via motorway A87 - exit Sainte Hermine

- 2 airports close by : Nantes 90 kms and La Rochelle 55 kms.


For a long time, Sainte Hermine was considered as an agricultural commune. But the motorway Nantes-Niort has created an activity centre with many factories in the food-processing and mechanic industry. They employ about 900 people. Sainte Hermine is growing fast and its population is increasing.

Industrialist and traditionally- made work areas have been established for many years. But the agricultural activity continues with young farmers.

The town centre is undergoing renovation despite the closing of some small traders; and there is a market every Friday selling local produce.

All year long, Sainte Hermine is a lively town thanks to a lot of sports and cultural associations.

An intense sports life

The citizens have a large choice of sporting activities. Sainte Hermine owns a sports complex, tennis courts, football grounds and dancing, gymnastics, boxing and yoga rooms. The outdoor swimming pool is open through July and August.

A diversified cultural life

During the year, the cultural associations propose various events. The theatrical group puts on a show, the orchestra and the choral society organize concerts regulary, the cinema is open every week-end, the library has a wide selection of books and every first week-end in August the historic festival livens up the town for a period of four days (http://festivaldesaintehermine.fr/

Not forgetting our OAP's club. They get together every week to play cards or bowls, to embroider, or to discuss and have a convivial time.


Visitors can enjoy the surroundings of the village with its open green spaces and lush woods as they take advantage of the peace and quiet walkways along the rivers, La Smagne and Le Lay.

Hiring a local gypsy caravan is a fine way to discover the countryside around Sainte Hermine.

Four restaurants give visitors a warm welcome and let them savour regional products.

A campsite, hotels and guest houses assure you a pleasant stay.


The Chateau

In spite of an unrecognized history, the castle of Sainte hermine was the site of the 2nd great Baron of France and the first seignoir of the Bas-Poitou.Prestigious visitors: Louis III, known as Le Hardy, in 1272

Henry IV - hence the street of Le Béarnais

Louis XII - on the 19th April 1622




The request comes from Sarah, an English teacher in St. Hermine who would be pleased to hear from any UK town interested in forming a link.

The website for St Hermine is Here

If you have any interest in exploring a link with St. Hermine, please contact me at towntwinning@gmail.com and I will pass on Sarah's contact details.



Alan