Vouvant historical heritage itinerary

LA CHÂTAIGNERAIE Camping-cars ST-SULPICE-EN-PAREDS area FONTENAY-LE-COMTE ANTIGNY N LA CHÂTAIGNERAIE 32 metres deep and wide enough at the bottom for a team of horses to turn around. The square overlooks Departure: Maison de Mélusine the river Mère as it meanders Ru (Tourist office). e se into the forest. r d The tour of starts with ou Mélusine u B From the square, on the left, Tower Maison

the Maison de Mélusine , e t de Mélusine the hamlet “le Petit Château” a cette Re G D which nowadays houses the la 1 u e can be seen on the site of the c d

tourist office. Here you will be Place ue e R

Duke of Aquitaine’s hunting u du Bail

R d told the legend of the fairy '

3 2 A lodge. He founded the town q

Mélusine, half-woman and half- u i

t between 1010-1020. Just

a

i n de snake, who is supposed to l’

P e Rue A opposite the exit of the n have built the castle in one ci e square, a narrow entrance n night with “an apron-full of n e leads to a courtyard, called

stones and a mouthful of Cour du Cure 4 Cour du miracle evocative water”, and of her husband Miracle R of Père de Montfort… u SAINT-MAURICE- Raimondin… who found out e Place

DES-NOUES Walking out of the courtyard, Ma l'Eglise St-Louis Wash about her secret curse house l Church turn left into “rue du Duc ico R Place 10 de u 2 causing Mélusine to flee FONTENAY- e r 8 d’Aquitaine”, up to place du n 11 LE-COMTE on e ti uttering terrible threats… Visita FOUSSAIS-PAYRÉ Corps de Garde . a l Opposite you is Chateau de la 5 er de MASSIF FORESTIER Place du cali Then take “rue Basse des Recepte (private property) so Théodelin 9 Rue de l’Es DE -VOUVANT Corps de R Remparts” to reach (on the nave Priory . d named because it was the place Garde e l a 7 right) the “rue de la Poterne” garden R P o Romanesque u r where the townspeople came LES BARRES t e e

bridge with its dry-stone walls, which

a

u

P and paid taxes in cash and kind. x

e R M is by far the most picturesque t u G ite o Poterne r e

The Mélusine Tower is the a i

n n

d street in town. Notice the

e gateway R e de s

last vestige of the château of ue

6 public garden on the left,

Lusignan. This 45 metre tower

L P where you’ll discover one of

u sign stands in the corner of the R R. Théodelin ue

2 two cannons found in the

P a square. Its circular construction n well of the “Place du Bail”. A

s rt is unusual at a time when most a p m steep cobbled pathway leads B Re a s s Rangies 3 e LE PETIT CHÂTEAU

6

s de Cave

6 towers were square. A chapel Historical heritage itinerary Starting point once backed onto it it. The Place down towards La Poterne , du Bail occupies the former 3 Historical heritage marker the only remaining town gate. inner courtyard of the medieval i Information The path, to your right, stronghold. The surrounding Parking follows the ramparts up to walls made it impregnable. The Ramparts the foot of the Mélusine chateau had two wells cut into Tower. If you continue on the the rock; one of which is View point itinerary (cont.) Vouvant historical background

HISTORICAL left by taking the “chemin des Rangies”, Vouvant is the only fortified town in the HERITAGE between the river and the ramparts, you will Vendée. It was built at the beginning of the ITINERARY see on the right, at the end of the footbridge, 11th century close to a forest of 20,000 acres. The “Petites Cités de Caractère” distinction a reproduction of the grotto at William V, Duke of Aquitaine, chose the site is awarded to the little towns and villages in our region which was inaugurated in 1958. At the end of because of its excellent position. He ordered that have a remarkable architectural and natural the “chemin des Rangies”, turn right, and the monks living in to build a Heritage, and meet the essential criteria when it comes the circuit crosses the Romanesque stronghold, a church and a monastery. In the to welcoming their visitors. As a guarantee for quality, bridge , built between 13th and 14th 12th century, the powerful Lusignan Family this label urges the communes belonging to the centuries. Nearby was the “porte aux added ramparts to protect the town. At that network to keep on improving the emphasis placed on Moynes”, the third town gate. Having time you could only enter the city by the three their attractions through restoration, promotion and gates: “la porte Bouguerin”, “la porte aux activities. The Petites Cités de Caractère of the Pays de 8 Moynes” and “la Poterne”. The frequent la Loire present a whole range of historical authenticity rebellions of the Lords of Lusignan against and are a reflection of the geographical territory to Vouvant the French Crown prompted John Lackland, which they belong. King of England, and Saint Louis, King Petite Cité de Caractère de la Vendée Louis IX of , to deal with them severely. 7 Century after century, famous families reigned in Vouvant up to the 17th century when Petites Cités de Caractère crossed the new road, created in the 19th Vouvant became subject to the French Crown. des century to enter the town, stop for a while at The names of the streets and squares of the the wash house , a reminder of everyday village reflect the prominent figures of Les Petites Cités de Caractère de la Vendée life as it was. In the bend, the “rue de Vouvant’s often turbulent history. l’Escalier” leads to the Priory garden

alongside the sacristy. It is the best place to M A IN appreciate the apse and the octagonal bell E-ET -LO QUE N TI La I R tower of the church . Skirt around the Cholet E LOIRE-ATLA Sè vre church until you reach the entrance, N ant remarkable for the twin doors framed by aise Ilee ded stone arches carved with varied motifs. Nooirmououtier MalliM èvre

Inside, the choir is raised above the half- Information /visits ers DEU buried crypt of the 11th century, rediscovered OC X -S S -Y when excavations took place in the È th Mairie (Town Hall) VR

19 century. Once back out of the church, Ile d'Yeud Yeu E Place de l’église ~ 85 120 Vouvant S walk to the entrance of the Théodelin Tél : 02 51 00 80 21 n Nave , named in memory of the Abbot of mororeau [email protected] ai Maillezais to whom the Duke of Aquitaine d'Olonne yr www.vendee-vouvant.com Nieeul-sur- had entrusted the construction of this l'AAutise monument. Vouvant Tourist Office y Maison de Mélusine (muséographie) 10 11 Place du bail ~ 85 120 Vouvant Niort Tél. : 02 51 00 86 80 ME Wander along the narrow streets between the shale- Fax : 02 51 87 47 92

Guided tours mairie de Vouvant. de la Vendée, Photos : Petites Cités de Caractère built houses... Discover the ramparts, the keep, and Office du tourisme du VOUVANT the Melusine Tower nestling in the oxbow of the 10 Pays de Fontenay-le-Comte Tél : 02 51 69 44 99 Association des Petites Cités River Mere. The portal of the church is a pure jewel www.tourisme-sudvendee.com de Caractère de la Vendée Mairie de Foussais-Payré of the Romanesque Period in the Bas-Poitou region.

85240 Foussais-Payré 06 72 66 49 71 ~ juillet 2009. Be careful, respectful of private property Close by is the forest of Mervent-Vouvant... and traffic regulations. Tél. 06 70 26 08 62

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