Founded in 1804 by Napoleon, La Roche-sur-Yon is one of France's most livable cities, located in the center of the Vendée, less than 30 minutes from the beaches. With a population of over 54,000, La Roche-sur-Yon boasts a dynamic economy and a wide range of sports, leisure and cultural facilities. It overlooks the Yon valley, a bucolic area well worth a visit. La Roche-sur-Yon was first developed around its castle and the Vieille Horloge district. But it was Napoleon's will that gave the town its new face: a pentagonal shape, a checkerboard pattern of buildings in the neoclassical style, and a stud farm that is still rediscovering the unique skills of saddlers and farriers. Napoleonic buildings are characteristic of the town: the conservatoire (former court), the theater, the stud farm, the prefecture, the hôtel du département (former hospital), the cité Travot, private mansions... This functional urbanism is built around squares, the best-known of which refers back to its founder: Place Napoléon. At its center is the symbol of the city: the statue of the Emperor on horseback. This work by Nieuwerkerke, inaugurated in 1854, is a listed historic monument. The square, which has been completely redesigned, planted and embellished with ponds, is home to strange creatures imagined by François Delarozière of Nantes-based company La Machine. These unique mechanical animals are waiting to be manipulated by you!

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Pictures and images La Roche-Sur-Yon

Haras de la Vendée David Frugère
Place Napoléon et église Saint-Louis. Linda CASTAGNIE
Les Animaux de la Place. Linda CASTAGNIE
Le kiosque et le Crocodile. Linda CASTAGNIE

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