La Chaize-le-Vicomte

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Travel Guide > Towns > Pays de la Loire > Vendée > La Chaize-le-Vicomte

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION		CLOSEST TOWNS
Town	La Chaize-le-Vicomte	Fougeré at 4.8 km
Insee code	85046	La Ferrière at 4.9 km
Postcode	85310	Thorigny at 7.8 km
Latitude	46.6727370	Saint-Florent-des-Bois at 9.1 km
Longitude	-1.2924010	Dompierre-sur-Yon at 10.1 km
Altitude	From 32 to 112 meters	Bournezeau at 10.1 km
Surface	49.51 km²	La Roche-sur-Yon at 10.2 km
Population	3090 inhabitants	Saint-Martin-des-Noyers at 10.3 km
Density	61 inhabitants/km²	La Merlatière at 10.6 km
Chief town	La Roche-sur-Yon (at 11 km, 13 min)	Château-Guibert at 11.2 km
Department	Vendée	Chaillé-sous-les-Ormeaux at 11.3 km
Region	Pays de la Loire	Search another town

LOCATION

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TOWN PRESENTATION

Located 10 km from La Roche-sur-Yon, 75 km from Nantes, 40 minutes from the beaches and coastline.

The earliest date back to the third and fifth century, being a metallurgical furnace bottom of the 5th and 3rd century Gallic facilities at a place called "The Chapelière". These remains have disappeared due to highway work.

The Chaize was evangelized between the 6th and 7th century.

In the 11th century, the fourth Aimery built the church of St. Nicolas, the priory and castle, life is organized around these buildings. Crossed by the path of Saulnier, cultivation and breeding, a beautiful town knows prosperity (the Vendée in general has never experienced a famine).

In 1568, Protestants, following the religious wars, burning part of the church (the tower, the apse and the choir collapsed), pillaged and burned the priory. The church was rebuilt two centuries later.

After the Fronde of 1638/1642, the slingers ordered by the Duke of Laval took possession of the castle, forcing the royalist troops to surrender. Very soon after, Richelieu ordered the dismantling of the fortress.

During the wars of Vendee, in 1793/1796, the infernal columns do no damage caused to the town, but the Church of St. Nicolas was used as a slaughterhouse and meat for the Republican troops.

The house of 1825, pictured below, was built on the ruins of the ancient church of the castle.

SIGHTSEEING

The Romanesque church of Saint Nicolas:

Church founded in the 11th century by the Vicomte de Thouars Aimery IV. Given to the Benedictine monks of the abbey of Saint-Florent de Saumur, the church is the only remains of the priory Saint-Nicolas, founded at the same time, end of the eleventh. Dedicated December 6, 1099 by Peter II, Bishop of Poitiers, in the presence of Herbert, Viscount of Thouars, of William IX, said the troubadour, Count of Poitiers and Duke of Aquitaine, and all the nobility of Poitou.

Despite the ruins of the choir, the transept and its spire primitive church Saint-Nicolas is still the largest Romanesque building in the Vendee. Its austere exterior, due to the dark color of the granite with which it is built, contrasts with the light from within. Indeed, the basilica, with a high central nave and two narrow aisles allows a double row of windows widely splayed to let in abundant light.

Detailed information
Transport	Train station of La Chaize-le-Vicomte
Leisure centres	Museum Ornithologique Charles-Payraudeau
Monuments	Church Saint-Nicolas

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