Vouvant

Visit Vouvant, Pays de la Loire

Vouvant is situated 12 kilometres north of Fontenay-le-Comte in the Vendée department of Pays de la Loire, on a small hill in a pretty setting overlooking a bend in the Mère river. It is listed as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'.

Exploring Vouvant

In part still surrounded by ramparts, Vouvant can still be entered by one of the original gates in the fortified walls, called the poterne. As you pass through the gate remember that it was at this place, in 1557 during the Wars of religion, that more than 200 people were killed in a terrible battle.

Within the village itself narrow streets, lined with well-preserved medieval houses, lead to the central square and the Notre-Dame Church. The church is in part roman style dating from the 12th century and has a semi-circle of ornate carvings featuring animals, characters and various biblical events around the entrance (the higher part of the facade is a later addition, in gothic style).

On the edges of town, don't miss the 14th century stone bridge across the river (cross the bridge to see the town washhouse) to the east, and the Tower of Melusine (the remaining part of a chateau that once stood here, the Mesuline tower was the castle keep and watchtower) to the north. The open area next to the tower, the Place du Bail, was once the courtyard of the castle.

There is also a small Priory Garden, representing the plants grown in a medieval garden - vegetables; practical plants (eg for making dyes); medicinal plants; and flowers grown for the church decoration

Note: The village associates itself with Melusine, an important legendary character in Europe, half-fairy half-snake, who was said to be from this region and to have built the castle in Vouvant during the course of a single night. You can learn more about the history and legend of Mesuline in a display at the Vouvant tourist office.

Attractions nearby

The countryside around the village is a land of deep forests and lakes, and the marshes of the Marais-Poitevin are to the west. A landscape that has attracted, and still attracts, numerous artists to the town, drawn by the contrasts, the light and the natural beauty.

The local tourist office suggests several walks of varying difficulty starting from Vouvant - see Vouvant walks for details (French only).

Note: photo by seeschloss is copyright

Tourist classifications for Vouvant: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 2*; One of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages);

Suggested places to visit near Vouvant, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Marais Poitevin 33km; Marans 34km; Parthenay 41km; Surgeres 53km; La Rochelle 55km; Sanxay 59km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Vouvant

Vouvant tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Eglise de Notre-Dame (Vouvant) - religious monument (0km) : Abbaye Royale (Nieul-sur-l'Autise) - religious monument (18km) : Jardins du Bâtiment - remarkable garden (19km) : Abbaye Saint Pierre et Eglise de Saint Nicolas (Maillezais) - religious monument (23km) : Eglise de Saint-Eulalie (Benet) - religious monument (26km) : Eglise de Notre-Dame de l'Assomption (Maille) - religious monument (26km) : Jardins de Chaligny - remarkable garden (28km) : Baie de l'Aiguillon - site of natural beauty (31km) :

French version: see Vouvant (Francais)