La Peyratte

Several heritage sites are worth mentioning in the town.

The first is the Château de Payré, to the northwest of the town. A fortress is mentioned there, built on a mound, overlooking a ford on the Thouet, from before the Year 1000 and the appearance of the town of La Peyratte.

At the end of the Middle Ages, in the 15th and 16th centuries, possession of the Guichard family, established as a barony, the estate was remodeled and a new building was built. In 1568, Jean VI Guichard, ordinary gentleman of the king's chamber, married Marie de Bourbon-Lavedan, who was lady-in-waiting to the queen. The Prince of Navarre is at the event. Once a haunt of Protestants in the region, the castle was taken by royal troops in 1681 and Jean Guichard detained at Fort Pignerol, in Savoie. Several owners succeeded one another after the Revolution. A museum was housed there and more recently, restoration work was carried out. Listed in the Inventory, today, the building has retained fortified elements and is in the form of an imposing two-story main building, flanked by two round towers at the rear. On the courtyard side, a door is topped by a pediment. A chapel with wall frescoes is attached to the house. It itself is at the center of a group of common buildings and an agricultural estate. The still private property is not open to the public but can be observed from the outside...

To the south of the town then, bordering the RN 149 linking Nantes to Poitiers, the Bertrandière estate is of more recent construction (19th century).). The castle is made up of a neo-classical style dwelling framed by two slightly projecting pavilions. With a four-hectare park, the estate hosts family receptions or seminars as well as concerts in a “guinguette” atmosphere. Information on +33 5 49 94 60 73.

Finally, head to the town, established on the right (east) bank of the Thouet, a tributary of the Loire which it joins at Saumur.

In the park facing the town hall and the church, near the war memorial, a Hosannière cross has been installed since the 19th century, listed in the Inventory, which was previously installed in the old cemetery since the 12th century. Probably built by the Benedictine monks of Talmont (Vendée), 12 m high, it had a granite cross which topped four embedded columns. The first cross is now sealed at the base, and the new one is inscribed in a circle. An altar is finally set up at the foot of the monument. Open-air services were celebrated there, particularly during Palm Sunday. A lit torch at the top symbolized the souls of the deceased.

We finally go to the Notre-Dame parish church, also listed, built in the 12th century in a Romanesque style. It consists of a simple nave, without aisles, and barrel vaulted. The square apse was lengthened in the 14th century, a period during which two groin-vaulted side chapels were added to the span of the bell tower. A door opened onto a priory which has disappeared. Inside, a remarkable 17th century winged altarpiece was recently restored. Leaning against the bedside wall, it was created by the sculptor Claude Laumosnier and was intended for the Capuchin chapel of Saint-Martin de Ré. Made of oak and walnut wood, painted and gilded, the altarpiece presents five panels representing scenes from the life of Christ.

On the cultural side, the Réveil village hall hosts shows and association events (contact the town hall on +33 5 49 64 16 10) and the library of "32 Quai des livres" program meetings, readings and exhibitions (contact +33 5 49 70 27 76).

For sports enthusiasts, a football field, outdoor tennis courts, a city stadium and pétanque courts are accessible in the town. Information on +33 5 49 64 16 10.

Fishermen for their part can indulge in their favorite pastime on the banks of the Thouet or in some public ponds: find out about the regulations and the sites developed from the local association on +33 6 86 28 03 41.

All that remains to be exploited... and explore the tremendous potential available to hikers. Along the course of the Thouet or crossing the green bocage landscapes, walking loops will be dotted with sites of interest. Let us mention the farm of "La Balade des Autruches" where you can observe the large birds with your family and taste products from this unique breeding (contact +33 6 72 22 29 43), the old forge which became a mill at the far end north of the territory (near a Romanesque bridge), or the Belvédère des Roches which dominates an immense quarry on both sides of the river, upstream of the town. Routes are also dedicated to mountain bikers (circuits that wind throughout the Gâtine Poitevine region).

Maps and information for hikers from the tourist office on +33 5 49 64 24 24.

The third weekend in May, musical festival at the Bertrandière estate.

The last Saturday in June, music festival with concerts at the stadium.

July 14, on the occasion of the national holiday, games, meals, concert, ball and fireworks.

The last Sunday in October, plant swap.

• On 16 july 2024
• Carrière CMGO, Place des Marronniers
• The tour is led by a CMGO technician and Sandrine Nicolet, Atemporelle ? S tour guide. - From the lookout, the presentation of the site's history, geology and landscape continues by coach into the quarry to discover the activity. Meeting point : Place des Marronniers, access via RD 165. - Limited number of places. Departure by coach.