Editing Vendée (section)

==Economy==
The primary factors of the Vendéen economy are:

*Tourism
*Agriculture
*Food Processing
*Light/Medium Industry

The Vendée has been cited as the most economically dynamic department in France by L'Express magazine in a 2006 survey.<ref>[http://www.lexpress.fr/info/france/dossier/departement/departement.asp?id=515504 L'Express 2006 Survey Results] - in French</ref> Its economy is characterised by a low rate of unemployment (around 7% in late 2006 compared to more than 9% nationally) and a very high proportion of small and medium-sized businesses (one business for every 14 inhabitants).

===Tourism===
{{unreferenced section|date=May 2012}}
The coast of the Vendée extends over {{convert|200|km}} of mostly sandy beaches. Tourists from overseas and locally frequent them. Some resorts include [[Les Sables-d'Olonne]], La Tranche-sur-Mer and [[Saint-Jean-de-Monts]]. Some beaches are certified for the [[Foundation for Environmental Education|FEE]] [[Blue Flag beach|Blue Flag]] for cleanliness.

With more than {{convert|100|mi|order=flip}}{{clarify|note that this claim conflicts with the one above. Need citation to settle this|date=November 2011}} of sandy beaches edged with dunes and pine woods. There are several [[nude beach]]es including just south of La Faute sur Mer on the Pointe d'Arçay. The department also has churches and abbeys, museums, and—for nature lovers—thousands of marked footpaths, a signposted bicycle route running along the coastal mudflats, and marshes that attract unusual birds. There is fishing in the Vendée's rivers and lakes.

Inland, the chief attractions include the [[Marais Poitevin]] (an area of marshlands famed for wildlife), the forested area around the village of Mervent and the rolling countryside of the Bocage. In the north of the department, the historical theme park [[Puy du Fou]] attracts more than 1.45 million of visitors per year.
<gallery>
File:Eglise Saint-Louis de La Roche-sur-Yon depuis la voûte.JPG|Saint Louis Church of La Roche-sur-Yon
File:Eglise Saint-Louis de La Roche-sur-Yon depuis la tribune haute.JPG|Saint Louis Church of La Roche-sur-Yon
File:Place Napoléon de La Roche-sur-Yon depuis l'église.jpg|[[La Roche-sur-Yon]], [[Napoleon I]]'s city
File:MaraisPoitevin.jpg|[[Marais Poitevin]]
File:Windmühle auf der Île de Noirmoutier.jpg|Windmill on the [[Noirmoutier (island)|Noirmoutier island]]
File:Maillezais - Cathedrale Saint-Pierre 02.jpg|[[Maillezais Cathedral]]
File:F07.Vouvant.0012.JPG|[[Vouvant]]
File:Puy-du-Fou-3.JPG|Medieval show at [[Puy du Fou]] themepark.
File:Lucon Vendée.JPG|[[Luçon Cathedral|Cathedral of Notre Dame]], episcopal seat of the [[Diocese of Luçon]] (comprising the Vendée)
</gallery>

===Agriculture===

Agriculture remains a significant source of employment in the Vendée. Among departments, it has the second highest level of revenue from agriculture in France. The major arable crops grown are maize, [[colza]], wheat and sunflowers. Meat and dairy production also feature, as does the offshore farming of shellfish (oysters and mussels). Poultry from Challans is highly regarded nationwide as is lamb produced from the salt marshes in the North of the Vendée.

Demonstrating its support for the agricultural sector, the Conseil Général of the Vendée has a stated policy to promote the construction of irrigation reservoirs to reduce dependence on ground water during key summer growing seasons.

===Food processing and manufacturing===

The Vendée is home to a number of food processing firms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fleurymichon.fr/ensemble-pour-manger-mieux-venez-verifier|title=Ensemble pour manger mieux : venez vérifier|website=Fleury Michon}}</ref> A manufacturer of ready-meals and [[charcuterie]] employs the majority of its workforce (some 3000 people) at local plants. Other employers include bakeries and biscuit producers.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}}

The department also has some speciality products, including [[brioche]] (''Label Rouge'') and a raw cured ham (''Jambon de Vendée'') similar in flavour to bacon.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}}

Wine is also produced in the area around the communes of Vix, Brem, Pissotte and Mareuil-sur-Lay, and is marketed under the "Fiefs Vendéens" designation. Production quality has improved markedly over recent years, and, having already achieved the classification [[Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure]] (VDQS), the wines are on their way towards A.O.C status ([[Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mareuiltourisme.com/fiefsmareuillais.htm|title=_room dividers ceiling mount_sugar free muffins and scones packaged|website=www.mareuiltourisme.com}}</ref>

===Industry===

Much of the manufacturing industry in the Vendée reflects its status as a major tourist destination. Mobile homes are manufactured at plants in [[Luçon]] and the building of motor and sail yachts takes place at locations all over the department. The service sector too is strongly inclined towards tourism with campsites, restaurants and other tourism businesses being important sources of revenue and employment.