Located on the banks of Charente river, Civray is an approved green holiday resort (Station Verte) that boasts an architectural gem: the Saint-Nicolas church, a 12th-century Romanesque building with a particularly remarkable carved facade.
Commune on the banks of the Charente, Civray takes place in Vienne, about fifteen kilometers from Ruffec. This green resort rich in rolling plains is located not far from Savigné, Saint-Gaudent or Genouillé.
Occupied since prehistoric times, the territory of Civray developed mainly, like the rest of the region, during the Gallo-Roman period. Considered one of the most powerful strongholds of Poitou in the Middle Ages, the town was notably the property of the famous Maison de Lusignan. Very prosperous at the end of the 15th century thanks to its commercial activity, Civray then became a county, before suffering heavily from the wars of religion.
Today, the city is mainly oriented towards tourism, but also agriculture, offering the production of many appellations and labels: chabichou du Poitou, Charente-Poitou butter, Charentes butter, Deux-Sèvres butter, Limousin veal, Poitou-Charentes lamb, Limousin pork or Bayonne ham.
Built in the 12th century, the Saint-Nicolas church today benefits from a classification as a Historic Monument. It reveals a richly sculpted rectangular Saintonge façade on two floors with three arcades. Its portal is particularly remarkable with its four arches, the last of which reveals in particular the work of the months and the corresponding signs of the zodiac. Inside, the church consists of a central nave with four bays. Entirely repainted in the second half of the 19th century by Pierre Amédée Bouillet, it still has a 14th century fresco depicting three episodes from the legend of Saint Gilles.
While strolling through Civray, you can also discover the former chapel of the Commandery of the Templars or even various civil buildings which make all the charm of the town: the remains of the 10th century castle, the noble house of the Hermitage, the former dovecote from the 15th century, the Hôtel de la Prévôté which notably hosted Louis XIII, the Hôtel des Trois Piliers from the 16th century and even several Italian doors at n° 4 and 8 rue Louis -XIII which date from the 17th century. That of 8, more particularly, imitates the pediment of the peristyle of a Greek temple.
The Prehistory Museum allows you to learn a little more about the region's past. In particular, it houses Magdalenian collections partly from the Chaffaud caves.
The natural heritage of Civray is not lacking in interest either, with in particular the wood of the Ages and its rich flora. Several marked hiking trails allow you to discover the natural wonders of the town, like a fitness circuit on the banks of the Charente.
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The weekly market is held every Friday morning on Place Leclerc with, in particular, goat cheese producers, an organic producer and a fattened duck breeder. A fair is also organized on Tuesday.
The town offers concerts in June on the occasion of the Fête de la Musique.
Ball and fireworks are organized in mid-July to celebrate the national holiday.
Every year at the end of July, the town hosts the Au fil du Son festival at the Espace François Mitterrand. On the program, various concerts of all styles.
