Fontenay-le-Comte Plant Exchange

A swap, not a sale

The Fontenay-le-Comte plant exchange is not a classic plant fair: very little cash changes hands. Gardeners come with garden surpluses (tomato seedlings, strawberry plants, various cuttings) and leave with others'. More economical, greener, often more interesting: you gather local varieties adapted to Vendée soil.

The event is at the ODDAS community centre (Organisme de Développement Durable des Activités Sociales), a major Fontenay association. The garden and parking host the tables and stands.

Typical swaps

• Vegetable seedlings (tomatoes, courgettes, lettuces, herbs...)
• Strawberry plants, small fruit
• Seeds
• Cuttings of perennials and flowers
• Small shrubs
• Garden tools
• Gardening books and magazines

Fontenay-le-Comte, former Bas-Poitou capital

Sub-prefecture of 13,000, on the edge of the Poitevin Marsh. Former capital of Bas-Poitou with remarkable Renaissance heritage: Terre-Neuve château, Notre-Dame church, Quatre Tias fountain, mansions, Pont des Sardines. 'Ville d'Art et d'Histoire' since 1990 — a 16th-century humanist city (Rabelais studied here).

Gateway to the Poitevin Marsh

Fontenay is the natural gateway to the Vendée Poitevin Marsh. 20 min from Maillezais abbey, 15 min from Damvix landings.

ODDAS community centre

A Fontenay sociocultural centre running popular-education, social-link and ecological-transition actions. The plant exchange fits the last perfectly.

Extending the day

Stroll the historic centre, visit Terre-Neuve château, coffee on place Belliard, or head into the Poitevin Marsh.