Located in the Pays de la Loire, in the department of Vendée, the small village of Mervent takes place in the heart of the forest of Mervent-Vouvant. The commune, labeled Green Station of holidays, is about ten kilometers of Saint-Hilaire-des-Loges, in the arrondissement of Fontenay-le-Comte.
The territory of Mervent is populated from the Celtic period with the installation of a fortified site in the 6th century BC Another fortress took place later, during the Middle Ages, but it was not until the 20th Century so that the commune develops truly.
The village of Mervent, formerly the retreat of Father de Montfort, founding founder of the Compagnie de Marie and the Brothers of Saint-Gabriel, is now known for its tourist activity and its important natural heritage.
The forest of Mervent-Vouvant is one of the most popular sites in the commune of Mervent. The largest forest of Vendée with more than 5,500 hectares, it was in the 12th century the property of the Templars before entering the royal domain. The site has many remarkable trees, as well as several exceptional natural sites. The rock of the White Stone, notably thirty-four meters high, has been laid out for climbing, while the cave of Father Montfort has become an important place of pilgrimage. It is here, in fact, that the priest took refuge in the eighteenth century, living as a hermit. You will not fail to pass through the stele of the martyrs, which commemorates the shooting of resistance fighters in August 1944, or by the castle of La Citardière. The latter dates from the 17th century and has a large main building with three pavilions and two wings. Inside, one can see a vaulted room in basket handle, as well as a room with pendants of Valencia. Outside the moat and an old drawbridge are still uncovered.
Recreation is not forgotten in the forest, and you will find a tree-climbing course, a nautical base with a mountain bike center, or the Grande Perrure, an extended educational farm with a retro park for all ages. An ecomuseum that traces the history of the town and its surroundings, the Jamonière also has a pond for fishing or walking.
The Pierre Brune theme park offers various entertainments. You can enjoy giant trampolines, rides, a miniature golf, a small tourist train, deforming ice-creams or humorous bikes.
The Natur'zoo is also a zoological park, which was opened in the late 1950s. Over seven hectares, it features 450 animals of more than 50 different species, including bears, wolves, tigers Bengal or even lemurs. There is also an African aviary and a mini-farm.
As you walk through Mervent and its surroundings, you will be able to admire the 17th century Cornelière house, the Déluge and Diet bridges built under Napoleon III or the Mère River, a place for many family walks.
The church of Saint-Médard, rebuilt in the 15th century, is not without interest, as is the park of the old castle which faces the present town hall.
In May, the festival of the Grande Perrure is the scene of many animations.
The Merventan hike, in June, is the opportunity to travel the most beautiful sites of the municipality with a guide.
