Vivy is a commune in the department of Maine-et-Loire, in the Pays de la Loire region, 10 km north of Saumur.
Its territory of 23 km² is located on the right (north) bank of the Loire without being directly bordering it, within the natural region of Val d'Anjou.
Crossed by the course of the Authion to the south, which runs alongside that of the Loire before flowing into it 60 km downstream, south of Angers, the locality has retained a green environment. It is covered by arable land (41% of its surface area), agricultural areas (39%) and forests (12%).
Linked to that of Saumur, the history of Vivy experienced a turning point in the first half of the 19th century. Until then, the village had developed on the banks of the Authion, on the old Roman road linking Tours to Angers. However, in the current hamlet of Vieux Vivy, frequent flooding made the area unsanitary and daily life difficult. The town hall was transferred to the north in 1832, along the old national road, to the hamlet of Deux Sœurs (named after an old inn). Ten years later, a new church was erected. Then schools...
Nowadays, this new town and the nearby hamlets benefit from the proximity of Saumur and the passage of the A85 motorway (Tours-Vierzon via Angers), which initiated the creation of a zone of 'activities.
With 2,500 inhabitants, Vivy has a heritage and a leisure offer to take into account during a stopover in Saumur...
Apart from a cross symbolizing the establishment of the old village to the south, most of the heritage to discover on Vivy is located in the current village and its surroundings.
A discovery tour begins with the Saint-Paul church built in 1846 and designed by the architect Charles Joly-Leterme (to whom we also owe the Saumur theater). Built with materials from the old church, the new neo-Romanesque building follows a plan in the shape of a Latin cross. We observe that its bell tower surmounting the facade has a cornice decorated with “grotesque” figures. Inside, the stained glass windows dated 1879 and 1881 are of excellent quality, made by Fournier and Clément de Tours. They include enamels and represent, for example, the "miraculous catch" and the Coronation of the Virgin.
Nearby, the town hall has been housed since the 1950s in a 19th century bourgeois residence.
Next to see, to the south-east, is the Château de La Ronde near the eponymous crossroads where a Bollée type wind turbine from 1891 was installed, coming from the Château de Salvert in Neuillé, where it was used to pump water from 'a well.
In the northwest this time, the Château des Coutures dates from 1835 (having then replaced an older building). It is an example of neoclassical Palladian style that evokes the Florentine Renaissance. In summer, the exteriors of the castle, itself listed in the Inventory, are open to the public.
Finally, another castle, that of Nazé, is located in the south-east where it was built at the end of the 19th century in a neo-Gothic style then very fashionable.
To conclude this overview, we will point out the statue known as the Horse of Saumur, called "Ar(t)cheval", located on the edge of the A85. This monumental work (12 m high, weighing 6 tonnes) was made of metal and evokes a three-dimensional digital image.
Regarding cultural leisure, the town library regularly offers activities (readings, meetings) and in the multipurpose room, shows and association events take place throughout the year. Information from the town hall on +33 2 41 52 50 17.
For sports enthusiasts and lovers of "nature" leisure activities, the Monteaux pond built on a former quarry, in the west of the territory, includes a playground, a fitness trail with obstacles, a walking path and panels and observation posts dedicated in particular to ornithological observation.
Apparatus and a multi-sport field are also available in the Grands Champs area, to the north of the town, and a cross-country bike field is accessible.
It is also worth mentioning the possibility of reserving a tennis court with the local club (contact +33 6 82 45 92 35) and of going fishing (at the ponds or river): information on regulations on +33 2 41 38 29 20.
For lovers of hiking (on foot or by bike), several "Between Loire and forests" routes are available in Vivy and neighboring towns, on the right bank of the river, putting highlighting the green landscapes of the Loire Valley and rural heritage.
A cycle touring circuit of 80 towns is also accessible, not counting larger routes (for walkers or mountain bikers) heading towards Saumur, on the left bank, or following the secure routes of the Loire à Vélo.
Maps and information on +33 2 41 40 20 60.
The first weekend in May, garden show and garage sales.
The Friday following June 21, music festival with concert and ball.
The Saturday following July 14, frying festival on the Monteaux base with fun activities, meals and dancing evening.
The next day, “Mob-Solex” hike with a 30 km route in the surroundings of the locality with preferably old mopeds…
The first weekend in October, used car fair.
The second weekend of December, toy fair and Christmas market.
