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Special sites
Vendeé landmark restored
Les Sables d'Olonne has been given a heritage award for its skilful restoration of a landmark in this Vendée resort, the combined fort and priory of Saint-Nicolas.
The Catholic priory, which dates from 12th century, was destroyed by the Protestants during the wars of religion. Later reconstructed, it was converted in the 17th century into a coastal fort, because of its strategic position on a rocky headland at the mouth of the estuary. Thereafter ravaged by storms, sea salt and time itself, Saint-Nicolas has been in a state of reconstruction since 1975, taxing the skills of the best craftsmen and stonemasons.
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