Moutiers-les-Mauxfaits

Located 20 km from La Roche-Sur-Yon, 19 km from La Tranche-sur-Mer and 30 km from Les Sables d'Olonne. Moutiers comes from the old French "mosier" = monastery. In the Middle Ages, we note, in fact, the existence of two monasteries in the area. One disappears at the beginning of the 13th century, the other during the 18th century. The village has retained a strong commercial and artisanal tradition but the activities have evolved over time. Being located in a retro-coastal area, tourism now plays a significant role in the local economy.

Municipality	Moutiers-les-Mauxfaits
Postcode	85540
Latitude	46.4913200 (N 46° 29’ 29”)
Longitude	-1.4265280 (W 1° 25’ 36”)
Altitude	From 17m to 71m
Surface area	9.23 km²
Population	2293 inhabitants
Density	248 inhabitants/km²
Prefecture	La Roche-sur-Yon (22 km, 24 min)
Insee code	85156
Intercommunality	CC Vendée Grand Littoral
Department	Vendée
Territory	Poitou
Region	Pays de la Loire

Saint-Avaugourd-des-Landes	5.4 km (8 min)
Saint-Vincent-sur-Graon	5.8 km (7 min)
Avrillé	7 km (8 min)
Le Champ-Saint-Père	7.2 km (8 min)
Le Givre	8.1 km (10 min)
Le Bernard	8.3 km (11 min)
La Jonchère	8.7 km (9 min)
La Boissière-des-Landes	9.1 km (9 min)
Saint-Hilaire-la-Forêt	10.4 km (13 min)
Angles	10.4 km (10 min)
Saint-Cyr-en-Talmondais	10.6 km (10 min)
Longeville-sur-Mer	10.8 km (14 min)
Poiroux	11.9 km (13 min)
Saint-Benoist-sur-Mer	12 km (12 min)

The church was built in granite (the local stone) around 1170/1180 by local workers, it is of late Poitevin Romanesque style. Rectangular in plan: Central nave and two side naves, no transept, flat apse. The semi-circular apse, currently visible, dates from 1840 and the bell tower from 1867. The furniture was put in place around 1890. In its history, let us mention the visit of the future Pope Clement V (Bertrand de Goth archbishop of Bordeaux) at the end of April 1305 (elected pope on June 5). Originally the church of Saint Michel, it was dedicated to Saint Jacques in 1451 by decision of Pope Eugene IV and attached to the bishopric of Luçon. Note that we are on one of the secondary roads leading to Compostela (scallop shell in the town's coat of arms). Looted by Huguenot troops in 1568 and 1622, the church was transformed into a warehouse after the Revolution then reopened for worship in 1803. The church was classified as a Historic Monument on October 14, 1908.
The castle de la Cantaudière was built in 1578 during a troubled period in history (wars of religion), the building was first a small fortress with four towers with ramparts, drawbridge... modified (removal of the ramparts and a round). This castle today consists of two buildings forming an L, oriented towards the light and a very pretty park. The Renaissance architecture here remains a little austere, an impression reinforced by the large moat where water still abounds. This castle passed through many hands. We know that in 1615, it was the property of a very famous person: Maximilien de Béthune, Baron de Rosny, Duke of Sully, illustrious companion of Henri IV. At the time, Sully was governor of Poitou. His son-in-law Duke Henri de Rohan sold La Cantaudière on July 13, 1620 to a certain André Legeay, Provost General of Poitou, who was abolished by Henri IV in 1608 for having captured the famous bandit Guillery who was devastating the region. Sold as immigrant property in 1797, the property was finally purchased in 1855 by a certain Charles Duchaine. His descendants still own it.
In the center of the town, the market halls form an impressive built ensemble but easily accessible and apparently without mystery. However, the existence of this monument is also linked to great History. After the time of invasions around the year 1000 (Normans), a quieter period occurred in the 11th and 12th centuries, leading to demographic and economic expansion. This is the time when towns and villages emerged from a rural desert as well as new categories of citizens: Artisans, merchants, academics... The first markets were built around the 12th or 13th century. Demolitions and reconstructions follow one another over the centuries. The current halls date from 1765. With a surface area of 1,340 m², they offer a superb oak frame. It is estimated that it required the use of 150 trees. Surprising element: The 41 Doric-type columns in limestone, visible on the perimeter, resulting from the will of an architect keen on neo-classicism. Renovated in 2006, these halls still form the vital and symbolic heart of the city.
The Saint-Brix fountain: Springs and fountains were places of worship for the Celts. After the evangelization of the region around the 5th century, these places were "recovered" and the Church attributed the supposed virtues of their waters to more or less known saints. Here, the water apparently cures toothaches, backaches and kidney aches.
The wash house: According to the ancient Moutierrois, the wash house was a meeting place, a space for conviviality and oral communication.

Information points	Tourist Office of Moutiers-les-Mauxfaits

Fair on the last Monday morning of the month under the Halles.
Market every Friday morning under the Halles.
Fireworks and ball on July 14.
End of July: “Huche and Groll” pop rock festival.
Flea market in August in the town center and adjacent streets.
Producers' market in August.
In July and August, free guided tours of the historical heritage "Les Fables Moutierroises" (6 Thursday mornings and 4 at night).
Horse festival in August.
In December, the Telethon in the halls and the Christmas concert at the church.

O'Fun Park in Le Bernard: Tree climbing, waterjump, paintball...
O'Gliss Park in Le Bernard: Water park.
La Court d'Aron floral park, botanical garden in Saint-Cyr-en-Talmondais.
La Folie de Finfarine: House of bees and honey in Poiroux.
Préhisto'site du Cairn: Park on prehistory in Saint-Hilaire-la-Forêt (museum and activities).
Hiking around Lake Graon and Champ-Saint-Père.
“It rolls in the Bocage” bike loop: 44.7 km (loop divisible into 18 and 8 km). Interpretation panels all along the route.

Last name	Activity type	Rate	City
Freefall skydiving in a simulator	Sports sensations	45 € to 590 €	La Roche-sur-Yon (24 km)
Horse-drawn carriage trips in Sud-Vendée	Nature and the great outdoors	175 € to 1035 €	Sainte-Hermine (27 km)
Le Grand Défi leisure park	Sports sensations	22 € to 26 €	Saint-Julien-des-Landes (28 km)

Last name	Outing type	Difficulty	Duration	Departure municipality
Culet Loop	Cycling itinerary	Easy	30 min	La Tranche-sur-Mer (15.5 km)
Between dunes and marshes	Cycling itinerary	Easy	1:15	La Tranche-sur-Mer (16.1 km)
Loop of La Grière	Cycling itinerary	Easy	1:15	La Tranche-sur-Mer (16.1 km)
Carvor Circuit	Cycling itinerary	Easy	2:00	La Tranche-sur-Mer (16.1 km)
The Gravelle - Champagné les Marais	Hike	Easy	2:05	Triaize (23 km)

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Vendée

Geographical information

Nearest cities & towns

Things to see and do

Places of interest

Events and festivities

Photos

Weather

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Leisure activities

Outings

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Related articles
Moutiers-les-Mauxfaits