Église Saint-Pierre de Parthenay-le-Vieux

Churches, Abbeys and Chapels

The church in brief ...
Visit the St-Pierre church of Parthenay, and discover a magnificent portal hiding sublime sculptures representing Soisson against the lion, a hawk in hand trampling someone ... and many other works.

Parthenay

Noteworthy Cities, Towns and Villages

The capital of Gâtine
Parthenay unveils its medieval mansions bordering la rue Vau-Saint-Jacques, taken formerly by pilgrims on the road to Saint Jacques de Compostelle. From the Pont Neuf , the view of the Old Parthenay will carry you back to several centuries ago ... Must See.
The Romanesque church of Saint-Jouin -de-Marnes and the walks in the gardens of the Renaissance Saint-Loup -Lamaire castle , filled with fruit trees ...

Le Nombril du Monde - Jardin des histoires

Parks, Gardens and Arboretums

The garden in brief ...
Pougne-Herisson is a small village that we call the Nombril du Monde (navel of the world), because it is considered as the cradle of the creation of tales and stories.Enter the Jardin des Histoires into the wonderful world of creating myths ...

Tumulus de Bougon

Must See Places

The tumuli in brief ...
The site of the tumulus de Bougon was discovered in the middle of the XIX century, near St-Maixent-l'Ecole. There you'll see five remarkable prehistoric tumuli, the oldest ones of Europe! Under these mounds of stone high above a necropolis, you will discover skeletons, funeral offerings ...

Donjon de Niort

Castles, fortresses and Manor Houses

The dungeon in brief ...
This dungeon is the last evidence of a remarkable and massive fortress built in the XII century by Henri II Plantagenêt, husband of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Not to be missed ...
The museum with the ethnological collections (jewelry, costumes ...) and the archaeological ones .

Coulon

Yours to Discover

'The capital of the Green Venice"
Nestled in the verdant Poitou-Charentes , Coulon is a small town to discover , for it's classified among the "most beautiful villages of France " ... you can wander around the historic center of the town , and admire a preserved architectural patrimony . The imposing Sainte-Trinité church is thus not to be missed! Marshes and wooded areas are to explore on foot, by bike, or why not by horse riding ...

Arçais

Must See Places

The singing of frogs
At the heart of the Marais Poitevin, Arcais is a little quiet and refreshing village . In the place that we call the "Green Venice" you can enjoy boat tours from the port d'arcais ... Enjoy the region and its MUST SEE's, and you can also visit the Island of Re or La Rochelle, only 30 minutes from the Arcais!

Abbaye de Maillezais

Churches, Abbeys and Chapels

The abbey in brief ...
The benedictine abbey of Maillezais was built in 1003, on an island in the Gulf of Pictons. This necropolis of the dukes of Aquitaine is remarkable by its atypical architecture in the region. Not to be missed ...
The remains of the cathedral, the halls of the conventual buildings, cultural animations ... For the little story ...
The abbey had hosted many intellectuals and artists such as Rabelais and Agrippa d'Aubigné.

Damvix

Yours to Discover

Damvix est une très joli petite halte nature au milieu du Marais Poitevin, village typique et reposant de la "Venise Verte" au bord de la Sèvre, point de départ de nombreuses balades en barque, ô combien relaxantes...

Forêt de Mervent-Vouvant

Lakes, Forests, Panoramas and Caves

The forest in brief ...
The forest of Mervent-Vouvant is a mysterious ancient forest which, in the 12th century, was nicknamed the forest of Melusine. Not to be missed ...
The trails and landscapes for sports enthusiasts.

Vouvant

Noteworthy Cities, Towns and Villages

The Melusine city...
A mysterious forest, a fortress and old cobbled streets, a castle which according to legend was built in one night by the Melusine fairy ... The village of Vouvant has a true essence of magic. In the ruins of the ramparts of the 12th century there is the Melusine tower , former dungeon of the fortress, offering a lovely view on the wood ...

Abbatiale Notre-Dame de Celles-Sur-Belle

Churches, Abbeys and Chapels

The abbey in brief ...
Visit the abbey church of Notre-Dame built in the XII century. You will be able to admire a magnificent unique Romanesque portal , with polylobed arches.

Melle

Yours to Discover

La Monétaire
Along the Béronne,the green hills of Saint-Hilaire house this pretty village whose history is forever linked to the use of silver-lead mines. Melle was once an important place for the monetary activity, particularly thanks to the Silver Mines of the kings of the Franks, which reconstitute today the money making process for visitors. Not to be missed ...
The portal of the St. Hilaire church and its illustrious cavalier, and the walk along the path of la Découverte to observe the flora of the region ...