Common Vienna, the man nicknamed the City of the book, no shortage of attractions.
Sub-Prefecture, Montmorillon is located about fifty kilometers from Poitiers and its famous amusement park, Futuroscope.
Labeled City of Art and History, the city offers indeed a unique medieval heritage and restored in an area called the City of Writing and Book Professions. These are indeed very honored to Montmorillon, including the presence of many booksellers, calligraphers, painters and other booksellers that attract tourists.
Crossed by the Gartempe, a beautiful river in the region, Montmorillon also benefits from an exceptional natural setting where green spaces abound. Gastronomy is also honored in this city Poitiers, in particular through the ground, stuffed Poitevin, or more particularly, the famous macaroons Montmorillon.
City rich in outstanding monuments and cultural events, the city of Montmorillon attracts visitors in many ways, and tourists in search of architectural heritage will delight.
Marked by its medieval past, the city of Montmorillon still has many monuments and other buildings of great interest in its old center.
The medieval quarter in the center of Montmorillon is the city's most popular tourist spot. Since 2000, it has been home to the City of Writing and Book Trades where booksellers, booksellers, potters, calligraphers and even painters share the space. The opportunity to admire magnificent buildings dating from the Middle Ages, and to discover book craftsmen. Cultural events are regularly organized there to highlight this particular art. Between the time of letters carefully written with a pen and the time of computers, the Museum of the Typewriter and Calculator invites you to discover old machines, to listen to them work, and to observe their mechanism.
Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, the Notre-Dame church has the particularity of having one side without windows. The explanation lies in the Wars of Religion, when the city decided to wall up the windows of the church which were the most difficult to defend. Listed as a Historic Monument, it has some fine examples of the Angevin Gothic style, as well as beautiful furniture. Note the presence of a magnificent 12th century wall fresco in the crypt. The Notre-Dame church and the Sainte-Catherine crypt are closed to the public.
Also listed as a Historic Monument, the Octagon of Montmorillon is a Roman cemetery chapel from the 12th century. Its original architecture is strongly inspired by the Chapel of the Rock in Jerusalem. Inside, it is possible to admire many sculptures, including 69 corbels. (open only during guided tours)
The Saint-Laurent chapel of the Maison-Dieu, whose facade, 12th century frieze and 19th century wall paintings have been classified as Historic Monuments, is one of the other great religious monuments of the city, with the Saint-Martial church. The latter dates from the middle of the 19th century and presents many portraits of the city's benefactors on the historiated stained glass windows.
In the city, you can appreciate various buildings of great value, such as the house of Brouard listed as a Historic Monument and which has a very beautiful medieval appearance, or the Hôtel de Moussac whose library, fireplace, decor interior or the roof are classified as Historic Monuments.
A 16th century stronghold, the Château de la Lande was transformed into a neo-Gothic castle in the 19th century. It is surrounded by a very beautiful park of about thirty hectares sheltering chestnut trees and ancient oaks.
Dedicated to the culinary traditions of Montmorillon, the Macaron Museum allows you to discover the history of the macaron through various exhibitions on the cultivation of the almond tree or its manufacture. The museum notably offers visual and sound aids, but also taste and smell.
Tèrra Aventura - "The Secret Admirer". The famous novelist Zétoulu received a book, her biography from a mysterious author. But who is it? It's up to you to help him find out thanks to several clues left in this book.
City of books and artistic professions, the city of Montmorillon regularly offers very interesting cultural events.
A weekly food market takes place every Wednesday morning.
A Christmas market is also organized every December.
The Cité de l'Ecrit et des Métiers du Livre is the scene of many events, workshops and courses throughout the year.
Atelier "Frise Florale et Création de l'Indigo des Enlumineurs"
- From 21 to 26 april 2024
- 11, petite rue Champien, Montmorillon
- From age 8 - 8 participants maximum
Atelier "Dans la Peau d'un Enlumineur"
- On 24 april 2024
- 1 bis Place du Vieux Marché montmorillon, Écomusée
- Art workshop - 10 participants maximum
Spectacle Surprises en Contes
- On 24 april 2024
- 9 avenue pasteur Montmorillon, Médiathèque de Montmorillon
- A family show combining magic and circus, "Surprises en contes" imagines the true story, actually invented, of a young man whose grandfather, a circus performer, used to tell stories ? - Ages 3 and up
Atelier "Création de Marque-Page, Calligraphie et Aquarelle"
- On 26 april 2024
- 1 rue Bernard Harent, Montmorillon
- From age 8 - 8 participants maximum
Master Class Cuivres et Percussions
- From 27 to 28 april 2024
- 2 place du vieux marché montmorillon, EMIG
- Individual and sectional work with lecturers, work on ensemble pieces and final mini-concert. - Open to all musicians with more than 3 years' experience (brass, percussion and keyboard)
Dégustation de Terrines de Chèvre de la Ferme Piffeteau
- On 1 may 2024
- 2 place du Maréchal Leclerc, Office de Tourisme Sud Vienne Poitou
- Montmorillon Tourist Office invites you to come and discover the new Boutique par Sud Vienne Poitou : goat's cheese terrines from Ferme Piffeteau in Mazerolles. Let yourself be surprised by this new range of products !
Loto Gourmand
- On 2 may 2024
- Espace Gartempe montmorillon, Espace Gartempe
- The Montmorillon C.C.A.S. and the Les Insatiables association are offering all seniors over 60 the chance to take part in an afternoon lotto, with lots of gourmet prizes to be won, offered in conjunction with the network of local producers. - This convivial event is part of a free cycle of activities entitled "From the grid to the plate", and will be co-hosted by a dietician who will answer your nutritional questions and raise awareness of the importance of the role of caregiver. - Open to people over 60 - Proposed by Les Insatiables association and Montmorillon C.C.A.S
"Au Jardin"
- On 15 may 2024
- 9 avenue pasteur Montmorillon, Médiathèque de Montmorillon
- In the garden, I sow, I water, I harvest, I am a barefoot gardener. A big fruit tree is taking root, hiding surprises in its folds and holes. With a few rhymes, songs and stories, the little world of the garden wakes up and comes to life.
Conférence "Les Ressources en Eaux Souterraines, des Problématiques Locales"
- On 15 may 2024
- 6 rue Daniel Cormier, Maison des services
- Conference by Pierre FISCHER "_Les ressources en eaux souterraines, des problématiques locales : exemple de la vienne_" in Montmorillon at the Maison des Services this May 15 at 4:30pm with the Écomusée and its partners. Pierre Fischer Hydrogeologist - This event is part of the "Water and people between Vienne and Gartempe" project, supported by the CSTI program of the Région Nouvelle Aquitaine and the Communauté de Commune Vienne et Gartempe, as well as the Espace Mendès France
Club Lecture
- On 18 may 2024
- 9 avenue pasteur Montmorillon, Médiathèque de Montmorillon
- Come and present the books of your choice, share your favorites, or simply listen to other readers and pick up ideas.
Nicknamed "La Sistine Romane" by André Malraux, the Abbey of Saint-Savin is the only monument in the New Aquitaine region to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional universal value.
Visit the Ecomuseum and discover the history of this territory. Cultural trail in 10 themed rooms (housing, landscapes, crafts, forge, etc.). Loan of digital tablets as a visit aid, game booklet, films, models, shop and entertainment.
The Museum of Prehistory in Lussac-les-Châteaux is devoted to local prehistory and the Upper Palaeolithic. Discover the life of men in the Lussacois during the Palaeolithic through their environment, their way of life, their technical and artistic know-how.
The archaeological museum of Civaux welcomes you in a modern setting to help you discover the richness of the heritage. Throughout the year, also discover temporary exhibitions, an escape game "the spinning fibula", family treasure hunts and workshops for children and adults.
At the CPA in Lathus-Saint-Rémy, you can discover the different animals of the educational farm, many activities are offered such as archery, climbing, canoeing...
On Land from Dragon to Civaux, it's more than 300 living animals under a bioclimatic dome, 5 interactive sound and light rooms in Scénovision®, water gardens and touch pool... unmissable entertainment for young and old!
