La Trimouille, a name, a story...

Depart from the town of La Trimouille, latitude 46.4660600 (N 46° 27’ 58”), longitude 1.0402800 (E 1° 2’ 25”)

Before starting this route, you can discover some old houses but also the ruins of the old castle of the Dukes of La Trémoille.
View of the Benaize and its many mills. Heritage trail in the municipality.

This small village deserves a break, A large amount of cut and polished flints was found on the slopes of the Vairon and Salleron. Remains of a Gallo-Roman villae have been updated especially near Mazert. In the High Middle Ages, the village is formed in the valley around the church of St. Martin. The numerous Merovingian sarcophagi testify to the importance of Christianization at this time. To see: The priory Saint-Martin of the twelfth century. which has kept its entry portal Limousin style, the lantern of the dead of the twelfth century. the church square and its houses of character. The lantern of the dead of the 12th century, today displaced, was in the old cemetery. An open door at the base of the column and notches inside allow access to the lantern.

Castle Ris-Chazerat: It is mentioned in 1451 as the property of Lord Louis de Chazerat. Over time, the castle has lost its aspect of fortress. In the nineteenth century, Mr de Lépinay planted around the pond rare species such as bald cypresses and orange trees Aussages he brought back from Central America.

The village of Haims mentioned since 954 in the form of Agentis, is one of the oldest villages in the region; many ferriers also testify to the occupation of the site during Antiquity. Eight ferriers have been discovered on the town by aerial survey. To see the church of the eleventh, thirteenth and fifteenth century. remodeled at different times and mentioned as early as 1093 in the form "ecclesia Sancti-Michaelis de Aent".

To see the lime tree of Henri IV planted under the reign of this King and the ford on the Salleron, built with gravestones.
Located on a hiking trail: "les chemins de Villesalem"

In the 11th century, important religious currents led believers to seek communion with God in isolated places. It is in this context that the lord of La Trémoille gives his mas de Villesalem to hermits living in Fontgombault. The community brings together nuns and monks who live separately under the authority of the abbess. The bedside still bears the marks of the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion. Sold during the Revolution, it was transformed into an agricultural building until 1914. The date on which it was classified, then its purchase by the state in 1961 put an end to its slow degradation. Concerts and tours are organized especially during the summer.

The chapel of the priory is mentioned in writings in 1093, restored in 2005 and 2006 its garden was also refitted. On the road of Hérolles, you can see the priory of Fontmoron, twelfth century, on land donated by the lords of La Trémoille to the Abbey of Fontgombault, to create this priory.

The census of more than 40 ferriers bears witness to a very active life in the Gallo-Roman era. The village of Liglet, called "Lilec" in 1093 is formed around his church dedicated to Saint Hilaire. The stronghold located near the church reminds that the town is located on the borders of English Poitou and French Berry during the Hundred Years War. It is in 1434 that Catherine de Lespinasse, lady of Bélâbre gives authority to the inhabitants of Liglet to fortify the church to put it safe from the men-at-arms who ravaged the country.

Very nice view of the Benaize Valley. Possibility of access to the river on foot by a small path on the right of the castle
Old mansion and former defensive site, it is buried in the woods downstream of La Trimouille on the right bank of the Benaize. It was part of a defensive system placed along the Benaize.

Hikes & walks in La Trimouille