Perched on a rocky promontory, above a meander of the Thouet, the town of Art and History of Thouars has a rich built heritage.
Overlooking the valley from the top of its long Louis XIII-style façade, the Castle of the Dukes of Trémoille, a listed Historic Monument, was built in the 17th century at the request of Marie de La Tour d'Auvergne, wife of Duke Henri III de La Trémoïlle. This imposing building, covered with freestone and slate, now houses a public college, the inside of which can be visited during the Heritage Days, on the third weekend in September. Adjoining the castle, the Holy Chapel of Our Lady, dating from the early 16th century, has a splendid Flamboyant Gothic façade with a Renaissance gallery.
The tour of the town carries on towards the Church of St. Medard, a beautiful building from the 12th and 15th centuries, remarkable for its western façade, in the Poitevin Romanesque style, and its north gate, adorned with a multilobed arch influenced by the Mozarabic style! Around Place Saint-Médard stand picturesque old half-timbered houses, including the House of Artists dating from the 15th century.
Other sites to see in the streets of the historic centre include: the 12th-century Prince of Wales Tower, a relic of the medieval fortifications, which was used as a grain storehouse then a prison for salt smugglers; the Porte au Prévost Tower, through which Du Guesclin's army passed in 1372; the Neo-Gothic Chapel of Joan of Arc, converted into an art centre; and the old Abbey of St. Laon, whose convent buildings now house Thouars Town Hall.
The Henri Barré Museum, based in the Neo-Gothic mansion of Doctor Barré, contains French and foreign earthenware, paintings from the 16th to the 19th century, furniture from the Empire, and many objects and documents relating to the history of the Thouars area.
Thouars:
Labeled City of Art and History, Thouars is nestled on a rocky promontory overlooking the valley of Thouet. The town takes place in New Aquitaine, in the department of Deux-Sevres, not far from Bressuire, Saumur, Loudun or Parthenay.
Populated for over 5,000 years, the territory of the town really took shape in the seventh century. Known to be one of the strongest fortresses in the region, the city of Thouars was the scene of many battles between France and England, especially at the time of the Hundred Years War. Industrial city in the nineteenth century, it has now become flagship tourism Deux-Sevres. The city has indeed many vestiges of its centuries of history, allowing to dive in the past time for a walk in the medieval or Renaissance lanes.
Sainte-Radegonde:
The appellation of Sainte-Radegonde des Pommiers appeared as of 1785. During the revolutionary period, it took the name of apple trees.
Thouars:
Today home to the college of Marie-de-la-Tour-d'Auvergne, the castle of the Dukes of Trémoïlle dates from the seventeenth century. Installed on a natural promontory, it takes place on the remains of an old castle of the eighth century. Listed as an historic monument, it still presents an orangery having served as a model for that of Versailles, a chapel, stables or a beautiful courtyard.
One can still admire several vestiges of the old ramparts classified as Historical Monuments. Built between the twelfth and thirteenth century, they present today the Prince of Wales tower, the tower door Prévost contiguous to a Plantagenêt style tower, and Porte Maillot.
Several mansions are visible in the city, like that of the president Tindeau of the end of the XVth century and registered with the Historical Monuments, that of the Three Kings of the same time, or the House of the Artists. Former abbey rebuilt in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the city hall is also worth a visit.
Listed as a historic monument, the church of Saint-Laon dates from the twelfth century. You can admire a beautiful bell tower, colorful stained glass, and the tomb of Marguerite d'Ecosse, the first wife of Louis XI.
The Saint-Médard church, also classified as an historic monument, dates back to the 15th century. Romanesque, it reveals a portal to four archivolts, as well as beautiful stained glass windows.
There is also the Jeanne-d'Arc chapel in neo-Gothic style, which houses a cultural exhibition center, the chapel of the castle of the Dukes of Trémoïlle blending flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance style, or the Notre-Dame-du -House built in the twentieth century.
Opened in the 1920s, the Henri-Barré Museum is housed in a former neo-Gothic mansion house. You can admire very varied collections of faience, archeology, ethnography or fine arts and furniture.
The ecomuseum of the Crevant mill reveals the life of the past in the vicinity of Thouars. The regional center Resistance and Liberty pays tribute to the resistance fighters who defended the country in the region at the time of the Second World War.
Historic building, the halls are still in operation and continue to host the weekly markets of the city.
Very green, the city of Thouars also benefits from several natural areas such as the Imbert Park or allotment gardens along the Thouet. Bike paths have been developed to appreciate the local flora, as well as the architectural heritage.
Thouars:
The market is held every Tuesday and Friday morning under the halls. A Christmas market is also organized.
Terri'thouars Blues is a music festival organized between March and April.
At the beginning of June, the city celebrates Saint Médard with various animations.
Les Arts'Osés, in June, offers several concerts.
In July, we can attend the festival Atouts Arts dedicated to all the arts.
An expo fair takes place in September.
Vide Grenier à Mauzé-Thouarsais
- On 20 may 2024
- La Capinière, Nathaligne
- Give a second life to your objects : board games, toys, books, clothes, CDs, DVDs, consoles and games, childcare articles…
Conférence de l'Université Citoyenne de Thouars : Favoriser l'Implication Citoyenne
- On 22 may 2024
- 1 Rue Danton, À la station T
- With abstention on the rise, what can be done, based on real-life experience, to develop citizenship and rekindle the desire for democracy ? Christian PROUST, former Deputy Director General of Services at the Conseil Départemental des Deux-Sèvres, will host this evening debate. Having met with numerous groups trying to involve citizens in new democratic approaches, he is the author of three guides. - After the talk, which will focus on citizenship, the annual general meeting of the Unviersité Citoyenne du Thouarsais will take place.
Atelier ARCHIPAT 6/12 ans : Délices du Moyen-Âge
- On 22 may 2024
- 7 rue Marie de la Tour d'Auvergne, Au musée Henri Barré
- A season to discover the region through different historical periods. Today, honey, spices, fruit… Come and concoct tasty desserts to be enjoyed without moderation ! - Reservations required.
Les Délices Dina'Thouars
- On 24 may 2024
- Place Lavault
- We look forward to seeing you at this 3rd edition, where the watchwords will be conviviality and good humor. In a guinguette atmosphere, a menu specially concocted for the occasion will be offered by Les délices des Halles.
Tournoi de Tac Tik
- On 24 may 2024
- 38 Rue Marcelin Berthelot, Au Club House du Rugby
- Come and relax with friends or family and take part in this tournament of the famous game of Tac-Tik. Compose your team with the partner of your choice and compete against your opponents in 4 rounds to get your 8 pieces in. Your tactics will undoubtedly win you one of the prizes awarded to the top 10 teams. - Tournament limited to 30 pairs. Refreshments and catering on site. - Please bring your own games !
Salon de l'Habitat
- From 24 to 26 may 2024
- Place Lavault
- 12th Salon de l'Habitat de Thouars to meet professionals on the major themes of buying, building and renovating a home, furnishings and decoration, outdoor design and renewable energies.
Conférence SHAAPT : Les Voies de Samarcande
- On 25 may 2024
- Rond-Point du 19 Mars 1962, Salle de l'auditorium
- The medieval company "Les voies de Samarcande" bridges the gap between the medieval West and the Middle East, inviting you to plunge into the fascinating history of the Turco-Mongol empire through the crafts, warfare and technical advances of the period. Their work is based on the memoirs of Ambassador Jean, Archbishop of Sultaniya, who traveled throughout Europe at the turn of the 15th century to establish commercial and military relations on behalf of the Timurid Empire. The Turco-Mongol empire has remained famous throughout history, not least for its warlord, Tamerlane, known for his territorial conquests and acts of cruelty. But his name is also associated with his taste for Persian art and literature, which he promoted in his capital Samarkand, and which made him so great. - By Martin COUSSEAU, member of the "Les voies de Samarcande" association
Sortie Nature : La Vallée du Pressoir par les 5 Sens
- On 25 may 2024
- Parking de la cascade de Pommiers
- Use your 5 senses to connect with the sensitive nature of the Vallée du Pressoir. A new experience combining contemplation and relaxation. - Registration required. Bring hiking boots and weather-appropriate clothing. - Find out about all outings scheduled in Thouarsais with Deux-Sèvres Nature environnement in their 2024 calendar. Leaflet available from Maison du Thouarsais (32 place Saint Médard, Thouars).
Atelier de Danses Traditionnelles
- On 28 may 2024
- 6 Rue du Président Tyndo, Au conservatoire Tyndo
- The Conservatoire Tyndo and the association Trad'y Danse invite you to an evening of exchanges around traditional dance ! In a musical and festive atmosphere, you will practice couple dances (scottish, mazurkas, waltz) but also round dances (maraîchines…), avant-deux, marchoises… - It is an appointment for the lovers of the dance and also for the neophytes who wish to benefit from this moment of meetings and exchanges with the other. - In order to make you discover their bi-monthly workshop this workshop is open to all. Under the sign of conviviality and sharing, come and try and enter the round !!! - A beautiful evening to come and not to be missed at the conservatory !
Atelier ARCHIPAT 6/12 ans : Décor de la Renaissance
- On 29 may 2024
- 7 rue Marie de la Tour d'Auvergne, Au musée Henri Barré
- A season to discover the region through different historical periods. Today, on metal embossing paper, draw a facade using Renaissance motifs such as shells, foliage and grotesques. - Reservations required.