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Towns
and Villages of the Vendee
Pouzages
In the Haut
Bocage at the cross roads of the D960 and the D752 is the hilltop town of
Pouzages. The step and winding streets are overlooked by the ruins of the 13th
century Chateau (castle) that once belonged to the infamous Gilles de Rais (blue
beard) and from the ramparts you can get a panoramic view over the lower bocage
and even as far as the sea.
There were originally ten towers to this great castle, but now only the Great Keep remains,18m square and some 27m high, it is a very fine example of military architecture
Inside the ramparts of the castle stands a granite cross that commemorates where 32 Vendeens were executed on the 31st January 1794 during the war of the Vendee.
There were originally ten towers to this great castle, but now only the Great Keep remains,18m square and some 27m high, it is a very fine example of military architecture
Inside the ramparts of the castle stands a granite cross that commemorates where 32 Vendeens were executed on the 31st January 1794 during the war of the Vendee.
The pretty
little town itself has great charm and is often referred to as the Pearl or
Queen of the Haut Bocage. The impressive Mairie in the centre of the town also
serves (on the ground floor) as the indoor market on Thursdays. Across from the
Mairie is the church of St.Jacques, built in the 1202 in the Romanique stlye it
was later added to in the 15th century in gothic style
The Dolmens,
le Pierre Monolithe du Marchais at le Puy Trumeau is testimony that this area
has been inhabitated since early times.
Just outside
the main town of Pouzage standing in a grassy courtyard is the Eglise Notre Dame
of Vieux Pouzage, built around 1066 in the shape of a Latin cross. Just
inside the door on the left of the Nave are some impressive Frescos,discovered
in 1948 under layers of paint these wall paintings in ochre and terracotta which
date from the 13th century depict the life of St.Joachim,husband of St Anne and
the Virgin Mary and her family, in the friezes above the main paintings are
depicted the months of the year as well as grotesque animals. Further paintings
of Cain and Abel were more recently discovered over the door. A seven minute
Son-et-Lumiere in French can be viewed by pressing the button on the opposite
wall.
Other
attraction in and around Pouzages include; L'Aumonerie a chapel of 1202 belonging to Guillaume de
Chantemerle, it later became a Gendarmerie, then a Brasserie. It has now been
completely restored.
Le Terrier-Marteau, These restored windmills are open to the public and have exhibitions of the workings and life of the miller,
The Moulin de Frely. In a quiet countryside location this watermill of the 17th century is run by an association of artists,musicians and comedians with frequent exhibitions.
Lac de l'Esperance, A pretty lake where one can swim and relax a quiet get away, an ideal stop off for pic-nic lunch.
The Windmill on Puy Crapaud is 270m above sea level and is a wonderful place to view the not only the whole of the Vendee but well beyond. Still higher is Vendee's lighthouse at Folly Wood at 278m, formally a Druid sanctuary then a Roman sacred wood it got its name as sailors used it as a landmark.
Le Terrier-Marteau, These restored windmills are open to the public and have exhibitions of the workings and life of the miller,
The Moulin de Frely. In a quiet countryside location this watermill of the 17th century is run by an association of artists,musicians and comedians with frequent exhibitions.
Lac de l'Esperance, A pretty lake where one can swim and relax a quiet get away, an ideal stop off for pic-nic lunch.
The Windmill on Puy Crapaud is 270m above sea level and is a wonderful place to view the not only the whole of the Vendee but well beyond. Still higher is Vendee's lighthouse at Folly Wood at 278m, formally a Druid sanctuary then a Roman sacred wood it got its name as sailors used it as a landmark.
Images
from Pouzages
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