Machecoul is a former commune in the Loire-Atlantique department in western France. On 1 January 2016, it was merged into the new commune of Machecoul-Saint-Même. It was the site of First Massacre of Machecoul, the opening of the War in the Vendée in 1793.

Geography

The commune of Machecoul is surrounded by the following communes:

Population

Its inhabitants are called Machecoulais in French.

Sights

Economy

On the edge of town is the Gitane bicycle factory. Fans of the Tour de France will recall the Breton cyclist Bernard Hinault riding for them in the 1970s. Machecoul has a weekly street market where one can buy roasted poulet noir, the black chicken of Challans.

Twin towns

Machecoul is twinned with:

People

Machecoul was the birthplace of: