It is the prefecture town for the department, and part of the Loire-Atlantique region. France This Way review: although there is not a great deal to see in the town, we enjoyed a visit to the centre of La Roche-sur-Yon to see the gardens with their automated wildlife and to stroll around the shopping area. You can find the tourist office in the large open square next to the market near the rear of the main church.
You can ask for a map of the town in the tourist office to help you find the less prominent attractions. This is one of the largest open squares in France and, as well as the interesting buildings around the edges of the square you can explore the gardens that fill much of the central part of the square. The square contains several large ornamental ponds, and these contain animals such as a hippo, an owl and others that contain mechanisms so that, at a push of a button, they move, make noises and squirt water.
These are very will done and children of all ages will be interested. On one edge of the square you can see the most imposing church in La Roche-sur-Yon, even if it is not very old and does not look much like a church - the Church Saint-Louis was built in the 19th century in the neoclassical style with a facade that is inspired by Roman temples, with a row of 6 large stone columns beneath a triangular fronton.
The interior of the church is nicely decorated although more traditional in style, with a large central nave separated from the two side aisles by large stone columns. The furnishings, paintings and stained glass windows are all typical of the 19th century. The Justice Palace is now a local museum, celebrating painting, photography and graphic art since the 19th century.
This was built in the art deco style in the early years of the 20th century - as well as the main structure of the building, take a look at the style of the canopy above ther entrance.
