Mareuil sur Lay

The picturesque town at the meeting of Rivers Lay and marillet is the centre of one of the greatest concentrations of wine growers with the largest wine output per head in France with one in ten of its population in wine production. The Route des Vin is well sign posted and well worth a the trip not only for the sampling of wine but as the route passes through some very pleasant countryside.Most Vendeens will tell you this is the best wine in the Vendee and especially that produced around Rosney a small commune just west of the town.

The V11century Romanesque Church of St.Sauveur and castle overlook the river Lay as it wanders its way from the Bocage to the Marais then to the sea at L'Aiguillon-sur-mer. Canoes can be hired at the foot of the bridge in the town.
Just north of the town is the lake of Chateau Guilbert ideal for fishing and walks.

Situated as it is at the junctions of the Bocage, the plain and the Marais Poitevin it is an ideal location to discover this interesting part of the Vendee

Mareuil sur Lay is well served with Restaurants and cafes as well more general shops for the day to day necessaries. The road trough the town is a busy one and the traffic lights means that there is often long delays in the busy summer days.
Another pretty village is that of Mortiers-sur-le-Lay just a couple of kilometers upstream, it is well worth the detour.