Perched on a rocky promontory, above a meander of the Thouet, the town of Art and History of Thouars has a rich built heritage.
Overlooking the valley from the top of its long Louis XIII-style façade, the Castle of the Dukes of Trémoille, a listed Historic Monument, was built in the 17th century at the request of Marie de La Tour d'Auvergne, wife of Duke Henri III de La Trémoïlle. This imposing building, covered with freestone and slate, now houses a public college, the inside of which can be visited during the Heritage Days, on the third weekend in September. Adjoining the castle, the Holy Chapel of Our Lady, dating from the early 16th century, has a splendid Flamboyant Gothic façade with a Renaissance gallery.
The tour of the town carries on towards the Church of St. Medard, a beautiful building from the 12th and 15th centuries, remarkable for its western façade, in the Poitevin Romanesque style, and its north gate, adorned with a multilobed arch influenced by the Mozarabic style! Around Place Saint-Médard stand picturesque old half-timbered houses, including the House of Artists dating from the 15th century.
Other sites to see in the streets of the historic centre include: the 12th-century Prince of Wales Tower, a relic of the medieval fortifications, which was used as a grain storehouse then a prison for salt smugglers; the Porte au Prévost Tower, through which Du Guesclin's army passed in 1372; the Neo-Gothic Chapel of Joan of Arc, converted into an art centre; and the old Abbey of St. Laon, whose convent buildings now house Thouars Town Hall.
The Henri Barré Museum, based in the Neo-Gothic mansion of Doctor Barré, contains French and foreign earthenware, paintings from the 16th to the 19th century, furniture from the Empire, and many objects and documents relating to the history of the Thouars area.
Thouars:
Labeled City of Art and History, Thouars is nestled on a rocky promontory overlooking the valley of Thouet. The town takes place in New Aquitaine, in the department of Deux-Sevres, not far from Bressuire, Saumur, Loudun or Parthenay.
Populated for over 5,000 years, the territory of the town really took shape in the seventh century. Known to be one of the strongest fortresses in the region, the city of Thouars was the scene of many battles between France and England, especially at the time of the Hundred Years War. Industrial city in the nineteenth century, it has now become flagship tourism Deux-Sevres. The city has indeed many vestiges of its centuries of history, allowing to dive in the past time for a walk in the medieval or Renaissance lanes.
Sainte-Radegonde:
The appellation of Sainte-Radegonde des Pommiers appeared as of 1785. During the revolutionary period, it took the name of apple trees.
Thouars:
Today home to the college of Marie-de-la-Tour-d'Auvergne, the castle of the Dukes of Trémoïlle dates from the seventeenth century. Installed on a natural promontory, it takes place on the remains of an old castle of the eighth century. Listed as an historic monument, it still presents an orangery having served as a model for that of Versailles, a chapel, stables or a beautiful courtyard.
One can still admire several vestiges of the old ramparts classified as Historical Monuments. Built between the twelfth and thirteenth century, they present today the Prince of Wales tower, the tower door Prévost contiguous to a Plantagenêt style tower, and Porte Maillot.
Several mansions are visible in the city, like that of the president Tindeau of the end of the XVth century and registered with the Historical Monuments, that of the Three Kings of the same time, or the House of the Artists. Former abbey rebuilt in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the city hall is also worth a visit.
Listed as a historic monument, the church of Saint-Laon dates from the twelfth century. You can admire a beautiful bell tower, colorful stained glass, and the tomb of Marguerite d'Ecosse, the first wife of Louis XI.
The Saint-Médard church, also classified as an historic monument, dates back to the 15th century. Romanesque, it reveals a portal to four archivolts, as well as beautiful stained glass windows.
There is also the Jeanne-d'Arc chapel in neo-Gothic style, which houses a cultural exhibition center, the chapel of the castle of the Dukes of Trémoïlle blending flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance style, or the Notre-Dame-du -House built in the twentieth century.
Opened in the 1920s, the Henri-Barré Museum is housed in a former neo-Gothic mansion house. You can admire very varied collections of faience, archeology, ethnography or fine arts and furniture.
The ecomuseum of the Crevant mill reveals the life of the past in the vicinity of Thouars. The regional center Resistance and Liberty pays tribute to the resistance fighters who defended the country in the region at the time of the Second World War.
Historic building, the halls are still in operation and continue to host the weekly markets of the city.
Very green, the city of Thouars also benefits from several natural areas such as the Imbert Park or allotment gardens along the Thouet. Bike paths have been developed to appreciate the local flora, as well as the architectural heritage.
Thouars:
The market is held every Tuesday and Friday morning under the halls. A Christmas market is also organized.
Terri'thouars Blues is a music festival organized between March and April.
At the beginning of June, the city celebrates Saint Médard with various animations.
Les Arts'Osés, in June, offers several concerts.
In July, we can attend the festival Atouts Arts dedicated to all the arts.
An expo fair takes place in September.
Exposition La Cour des Contes
- From 20 february to 30 march 2024
- 6 rue des Sablons, Médiathèque du Château du Bois Baudran
- This interactive exhibition for ages 7-12 (and up) is on loan from the Médiathèque Départementale. Snow White has been killed. Who is the murderer ? The player is commissioned by the Prince, as a dwarf, to find out who committed this horrible crime. Participants must solve this riddle using augmented reality. Equipped with a tablet, they move from panel to panel to move forward in the story. - It's your turn to play !
Les Amphibiens : à la Découverte des Crapauds, Grenouilles et Tritons !
- On 29 march 2024
- 7 Rue Anne Desrays, RDV sur le parking du pôle Anne Desrays
- Come and discover the biology and life cycle of amphibians, first in an indoor setting with interactive games, then outdoors to observe several species in their natural environment. Led by Matthieu BOULLANT from Deux-Sèvres Nature Environnement. Organized as part of the 30th Fréquence Grenouille event. - Bring boots and lights. - Full schedule of nature outings available at Maison du Thouarsais
Les 5 et 10 kms Pour le Plaisir de Courir
- On 30 march 2024
- 23 Avenue Émile Zola, Départ du stade Omnisport
- Races open to all, organized by UST Athlétisme. This new edition of the "5 and 10 km de Thouars" is an opportunity for young and old to strap on their sneakers for a variety of courses (5 km, 10 km, children's course). New this year : 3 new team challenges to find out which team (5 people) is the fastest, the most represented and the most represented community on each course ! - Online registration only, no on-site registration. Water point on the course and refreshments at the end of the race. On-site : showers, bag lockers and refreshment area. - Number collection from 1pm. 1 prize per participant. Competitors must respect the highway code and the environment.
La Fiesta
- From 30 to 31 march 2024
- 3 Place de la Mairie, Salle René Cassin
- Come and discover the new fiesta show. On the program : songs, dances and sketches for at least 3 hours (3 one-hour segments). - Refreshments and catering on site.
Conférence de l'Université Citoyenne de Thouars : Réalité et Vérité
- On 3 april 2024
- 1 Rue Danton, À la station T
- In the age of post-truths and alternative truths, the line between truth and falsehood has become blurred as a result of distrust of the traditional media and scientific publications, whose information is checked as thoroughly as possible before being disseminated. Of course, good faith has never been a political virtue ! But if truth enables us to live together in a stable world, the balance of power between scientific truths (health, climate, environment, etc.) and public opinion is becoming difficult, as the powerful reign of images and the fragile spaces of ethical reflection are confronted. The stakes are high, for while the aim of politics is to guarantee freedom for everyone - For everyone, it is also to allow spaces for honesty. - Conference co-hosted by Jérôme Diacre, philosophy teacher, and Emeric Evain, journalist with Ouest France
Atelier ARCHIPAT 6/12 ans : Mosaïque Antique
- On 3 april 2024
- 7 rue Marie de la Tour d'Auvergne, Au musée Henri Barré
- A season to discover the region through different historical periods. Today, discover the mosaic technique with the help of a professional and leave with your own creation ! - Reservations required.
Auditions En Scènes !
- On 4 april 2024
- 6 Rue du Président Tyndo, Au conservatoire Tyndo
- The students of the Conservatory offer you a new audition date to come and applaud them ! The stage is the place where artistic practice takes its full measure ! The stage is the place where the students of the conservatory can come to express themselves and present their pieces, their songs or their choreographies worked on during the year. It is the moment when we perform alone, in duet, in small group or in orchestra, when we dance. It is also a time of discovery for the spectators, moments of sharing in direct link with the teaching provided and open to the curiosity of all audiences - Reservations recommended.
Spectacle de Danse on ne Parle pas Avec des Moufles
- On 4 april 2024
- 5 Boulevard Pierre et Marie Curie, Au théâtre
- What happens when a deaf and a hearing person get stuck in an elevator ? How do they communicate ? How do they communicate ? Le duo is a burlesque tale of a hearing man and a deaf man stuck in a broken-down elevator. One can't hear, the other can't sign. Deaf actor Anthony Guyon and hearing dancer Denis Plassard each tell their own version of the story, in their own language and with their own sense of humor. The show is a kind of double one-man show. This joust between a hearing man and a deaf man questions the notion of integration with humor and irony. In this imposed confinement, their common vocabulary is movement. Improbable lifts and simple gestures are meticulously choreographed, revealing a subtle complicity between the two performers. - Further information on La Cie Propos : https://www.compagnie-propos.com
Soirée Musiques Actuelles
- On 5 april 2024
- Au MZ, Place du 4 Août
- The Tyndo Conservatory organizes this event around contemporary music ! Teachers and students from the conservatory will join forces to take you on a musical journey on guitar, bass and electric guitar.
Fête Foraine
- From 5 to 7 april 2024
- Place Lavault
- Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation with the attractions and rides that will be present all weekend. Linger at the various stands, such as shooting games, duck fishing or sale of sweets for the greediest.