Moncontour is a town in the Vienne region of New Aquitaine, 15 km south-west of Loudun, on the edge of Deux-Sevres.
The vast communal area of 41 km² is made up of several entities including the town of Moncontour, to which were attached the neighboring villages of Messais and Ouzilly-Vignolles and an enclave parish, Saint-Chartres.
Crossed by the Dive and several streams, the predominantly agricultural territory has a face of plains and alluvial valleys.
On the southern border of Anjou, the seigniory of Moncontour was very early a strategic stake. Charlemagne defeated his brother and robbed him of Aquitaine in the 8th century, then became a stronghold and was taken by Du Guesclin in the 14th century. However, the most terrible battle took place there in 1569 during the wars of Religion when the Catholics led by the future king Henry III there held in respect the Protestants. The fighting killed more than 15,000 people. Later, erected as a barony, Moncontour depended until the Senechaussee Revolution in Saumur.
The activity remains today essentially agricultural and artisanal but its historical heritage as its singular natural environment which have earned it to be labeled green resort have allowed the development of tourism (lake with leisure base, holiday village). Moncontour which counts a thousand inhabitants is a place of stay or a stage of interest for the amateurs of green tourism...
Discovering the historical heritage of the town begins with its jewel, the Dungeon, one of the elements of the old fortress which was erected from the 11th century. The Keep itself dates from the 12th and 15th centuries. The roof has been reconstructed like the staircase integrated into the walls. The view and the panorama offered from the esplanade halfway up and the top of the building are remarkable. Other remains of the old church and the castle, with characteristic elements (machicolations, gatehouses, loopholes) are also visible. Open all year. Guided tour in July and August on Friday, Sunday and Monday at 6 p.m. or by appointment. Price: 3 euros. Information on +33 5 49 98 94 94.
See next, the Saint-Nicolas de Moncontour church, in Romanesque style, with a low bell tower crowned with a sharp spire. If the transept has disappeared, there remains a nave and a choir extended by a semi-circular apse. The western façade has a 12th century portal.
In Messais, the Saint-Philibert church was linked to a priory established in the 9th century. The current building was rebuilt in the 12th and 14th centuries, and there is a portal on the facade whose columns support a pointed arch.
In Saint-Chartres, the Sainte-Juliette-et-Saint-Cyr church dates from the 12th century and was restored in the 19th century. We notice a square tower of Romanesque style serving as the base of the bell tower. Inside, tombstones line the central aisle.
Finally, still in terms of religious heritage, to see in the cemetery of Messais, an astonishing "hosannière" cross 4 meters high which was used during the Palm Sunday procession. Another, dating from the 14th century, is in Saint-Chartres.
However, the most picturesque piece of heritage is the village of Ouzilly-Vignolles with its "Terra Villa" museum and its Marais de la Dive interpretation centre. There are still around a hundred houses in the hamlet that have been built with mixed materials from the marsh: earth, reeds, aggregates. The houses had no foundations and this know-how called "cob technique" which lasted until the beginning of the 20th century is of real ethnological interest. The entire site is protected. The museum offers home visits and the discovery of this ancestral know-how. Open from the beginning of July to the beginning of September from Friday to Monday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Price: 2 and 5 euros. Information on +33 6 27 43 21 39.
A large part of the municipal territory of Moncontour, strongly influenced by the many rivers, therefore includes marsh areas for the most part protected for their ecological interest (remarkable fauna and flora).
All of these historic, heritage and natural sites are included in themed walks marked out with panels. One of them, the washhouse path, includes no less than 35 washhouses, some of which are very old. Others focus on the discovery of fauna (birds, amphibians) and flora. Documentation and information on +33 5 49 98 94 94.
On the leisure side again, the locality has a 10-hectare body of water, the Gué du Magne lake, with an activity base and a beach. You can swim there in summer, and enjoy fun (water slide) and sports (canoe, beach volleyball, paddle) equipment. Information on +33 5 55 84 34 48.
In addition, via a unique device, you can practice water ski lift thanks to a circular cable which allows you to slide on the water (on boards or aboard buoys). Information on +33 5 49 22 77 98.
On part of the lake or the many rivers in the territory, fishing is also authorized. Find out about the regulations on +33 5 49 98 14 63.
And for sports enthusiasts, you can also book a tennis court on +33 5 49 98 59 20 or learn about free flight (paragliding) by calling +33 5 49 51 41 73.
