The canton of Trimouille, the heritage of the past

Depart from the town of La Trimouille, latitude 46.4660000 (N 46° 27’ 58”), longitude 1.0399600 (E 1° 2’ 24”)

• La Trimouille

• Departure from the tourist office. If you want to discover La Trimouille on foot for about 1H30, ask for the leaflet "the city is its suburbs" at the tourist office.

• Saint Pierre

• Located next to a newer castle, the old church of Saint Peter of the 11th century. is about 1.5km from the town of La Trimouille on the other side of the river. Sold as a national asset in 1794, it now belongs to the private domain. The style of the paintings still visible inside is close to those of Saint Savin. Two saints are identified in Onciales letters: Saint Radegonde, Great Saint Poitevin, and Saint Valerie, the first limousine martyr.

• Logis de la Brosse

• Former stronghold of the fifteenth under the barony of Montmorillon. The two round towers on each side of the central part have retained their machicolation and a small walkway. A bretèche ensures the defense of the front door. Built in the early Middle Ages this small castle combines the defensive role with the residential function.

• Thollet

• Small typical village that deserves a stop, take a walk in its narrow streets to beautiful houses like Berrichon and ford on the Benaize. The toponyms Camp-de-César, Gannes, Cluzeau, Les Châtres, Châtelards, La Fortilesse and La Tourelle suggest defensive systems of various periods. The elevated position of the priory allowed for the surveillance of the ford. To see the church of the twelfth century, its steeple and its sundial on the south side. Do not miss the big annual festival of August 15th.

• Coulonges the Hérolles

• The easternmost commune of the department bordering Poitou, Berry, and Limousin. This situation has favored the development of a very important fair that dates back to the Middle Ages and is held on the 29th of each month in Hérolles (D 123 about 6km).
• The dungeon of the Château du Pin and the fortified site of Bagneau testify to the need to protect themselves at this time.
• The church, twelfth century is the former church of the priory-cure dependent on the Abbey Saint-Augustin of Limoges.

• Brigueil le Chantre and the hamlet of Vaux

• Enclosed in a double meander of the Asse, the village of Brigueil occupies a high position in relation to the valley. The church of Saint-Hilaire twelfth and fifteenth century. built at the top of the plateau and in the perimeter of the fortified enclosure, integrates with the defensive system of the town. Take the left lane to the river to discover the Pierrat des Vaux, his hamlet and discover a nice view of the village. (allow an hour on foot).

• Castle of Mareuil

• Located in the town of Brigueil-le-Chantre, this former stronghold belonged to the barony of Montmorillon, the castle is said "hostel and strong house" in 1494.
• Overlooking the valley of the Asse, these buildings are built in the late Middle Ages in a climate of insecurity linked to the border position of Brigueil, the Hundred Years War and the presence of "big companies".

• Bourg Archambault

• Cited in 1244 under the name of "Burgus au Chaboz", this village developed around its church dedicated to Saint Laurent and its castle. The present fortress, rebuilt from 1478 on the site of an older building, is due to Poncet de Rivière, chamberlain of Louis XI. Moat, drawbridge, portcullis, canoe archers, and walkway make it a remarkable defensive system. Possible visit in September "Heritage Days".

• The Friesian (private, does not visit)

• A curious construction in our countryside! Built between the nineteenth and twentieth century. by Emile Moreau, former mayor of Saint Leomer (1908/1944), this manor is of Anglo-Norman style....
• The dungeon is actually a water tower that allows the water supply of the property

• Saint Leomer

• The site is occupied since antiquity. The town, made up of about forty houses was developed in the Middle Ages around the prieuré-cure.
• The 12th century church has undergone virtually no alteration since its construction, except for the bell tower, square shaped collapsed at the time of the Wars of Religion. To see also on the right of the church the priory-cure of the twelfth century, taken again in the eighteenth century. and its beautiful studded door.

• Masamas website

• Gallo-Roman site of the 1st century. BC, discovered by Father Florentin Reix around 1945. It includes a wall, a propylée oriented to the east and two twin temples with vestibule and cella square. More deeply buried, the bases of a Gallic sanctuary dating from the second half of the 1st century. BC, are still visible.