Just 50 minutes from the Puy du Fou, this small medieval village in the south of the Vendée is still little-known in tourist guides, yet it is one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in France’. Here are the best things to do during a weekend in Vouvant.
Vouvant, a small medieval town with great character
Perched on a rocky spur in the heart of the forest, Vouvant is a medieval village that can be visited all year round. Nestling between the Marais Poitevin and the Puy du Fou, this small Vendée town of some 2,000 inhabitants invites you to take a timeless journey in the footsteps of the fairy Mélusine. Awarded the ‘Petite Cité de Caractère’ label and classified as one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in France’ since 1988, Vouvant's still-intact medieval ramparts, cobbled streets and old houses, where every stone tells a story, are a real attraction. What to see, do and visit in Vouvant? Follow the guide!
Must-see places in Vouvant
The Tour Mélusine: enter the legend
Built on the banks of the river, on the edge of the largest forest in the Vendée, the village of Vouvant is a place steeped in charm and mystery. The Tour Mélusine is the last vestige of the fortified castle built by the Lords of Lusignan in the 11th century. According to legend, this keep was built in one night by the fairy Mélusine, half princess, half snake. It is said that she still haunts the ruins of the fortress. The top of the tower offers a 360° panoramic view of the medieval town, the Mervent-Vouvant forest and the neighbouring village of La Châtaigneraie.
You can also visit the inside of the Mélusine Tower. Go to the Vouvant Tourist Office reception desk on Place du Bail, just opposite the building. Allow 20 minutes for the tour. Price: €3, children aged 7 to 12: €1.50.
Notre-Dame church, one of the oldest Romanesque churches in the Vendée
A masterpiece of Bas-Poitevin Romanesque art not to be missed. The first church in the Vendée to be listed as a historic monument, it boasts a sculpted portal and a crypt unearthed in 1854. The lower part is decorated with fantastic animals. Among the treasures on display in the crypt are a Merovingian sarcophagus and a 12th-century knight's torso.
A ‘painter's village’ in the Vendée
Vouvant is also a haven for artists. In recent years, some fifteen painters have set up easels here and opened their studios to the public. From April to October, the ‘Vouvant Village de Peintres’ association organises artistic events. Don't miss the tour of artists' studios and the exhibitions in the Nave Théodelin as part of the Mélusin'art fair (June). For more information, visit the Vouvrant Town Hall website.
Walks and hikes around Vouvant
Surrounded by the river La Mère and the forest of Mervent-Vouvant, the village of the fairy Mélusine is the starting point for many signposted walks and hikes, between wooded hills, forest, bocage and viewpoints over the valley of La Mère.
- Le bocage’ trail: a short, easy loop, suitable for families, to discover the village of Vouvant, the plain and the Vendée bocage. Departure point: Place du Bail, distance: 4 km, duration: 1h30.
- L'orée de la forêt’ trail: a longer route taking in the medieval town, the hedged farmland and the Mervent-Vouvant forest. Departure point: Place du Bail, distance: 12 km, duration: 4 hours.
Restaurants in Vouvant
- L'Auberge de Maître Pannetier: a veritable institution in Vouvant. A varied menu, tasty dishes, meticulous presentation... no doubt your taste buds will remember it. Don't forget to book! Address: 8, place du Corps de Garde, 85120 Vouvant.
- Les Délices de Mélusine: a good address for excellent crêpes and galettes. The homemade ice creams are also a real treat and the terrace is very pleasant. Address: 15, rue du Duc d'Aquitaine, 85120 Vouvant.
- La Grange du Hameau: simple, tasteful cuisine, traditional dishes and local specialities, using fresh, seasonal produce in perfect harmony. All in a warm, bucolic setting. Address: La Girouette, 85120 Vouvant.
Where to stay in Vouvant?
Less than 800 metres from the heart of the village, the Hameau de Vouvant holiday residence offers self-catering accommodation for 4 to 6 people. The location is peaceful, and the gîtes are well-equipped and comfortable. On site: swimming pool, lounge bar, restaurant, terraces, pétanque area... A holiday feeling from the moment you arrive!
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