The best road cycling routes around Le Chillou

A church dedicated to Saint Peter is documented in the 9th century in the village. A Romanesque church was then built in the 11th century on the site of the current Saint-Honoré church, but with a different orientation. Initially dedicated to Saint Mathias, it was renamed Saint Honoré in the 15th century, a martyr from the Thénezay area, and houses the relic of his skull. The church was remodeled several times, notably in 1685, 1753, and 1784. The church was closed from 1791 to 1802. Its poor condition forced its complete demolition at the end of the 19th century. It was rebuilt between 1901 and 1903 in the neo-Romanesque style with a tall bell tower, according to plans by the architect Girard de Niort. It was consecrated on October 17, 1903, by Bishop Pelgé. It has three naves lit by richly colored stained-glass windows. The choir stalls, dating from the 18th century, were purchased in 1825 by Abbot de la Roche, parish priest; they came from the deconsecrated Cistercian abbey of Pin de Béruges. They were replaced in the current church in 1903. Two years later, the church was confiscated by law from the diocese and became the property of the municipality, which is now responsible for its maintenance. The white marble high altar with columns, donated in 1903 by the Countess of Talhouët-Roy, was sold in the 1970s and replaced with a wooden table facing the people. The stained-glass windows in the choir come from the Touan house in Paris and depict medallions depicting the life of Jesus. In 2003, the main bell collapsed; A new bell was recast from the old one by the Bollée d'Orléans firm and financed by subscription. The Bishop of Poitiers blessed it on October 11, 2003. Today, the parish of Thénezay no longer exists, and its former territory is part of the parish group of Saint-Jacques-en-Gâtine (comprising about sixty bell towers). Sunday Mass is now celebrated only occasionally in this village of nearly 1,400 inhabitants. The church is open for weddings and funerals.

Well-lit by stained-glass windows by Lux Fournier, this neo-Romanesque church exudes a certain intimacy. There was a church in Amberre at the beginning of the 11th century; it disappeared, replaced in the 19th century by the current building. Well-lit by stained-glass windows by Lux Fournier, this neo-Romanesque church is very pleasant, even warm. The single nave, with its barrel vault and transverse arches, opens onto a five-sided apse, exuding a certain intimacy.

beautiful work of the Middle Ages

The contemporary art center of national interest, La Chapelle Jeanne d’Arc de Thouars, is today a leading venue for contemporary art in the western region. Along with the Château d’Oiron and the Syndicat Mixte de la Vallée du Thouet, which runs a program of public commissions for contemporary works, the art center's work is carried out in partnership across the entire territory of the Pays Thouarsais community of communes and, more broadly, in the northern part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Within the region, the art center is a recognized player in the Astre plastic and visual arts network. Developing an artistic project that takes into account its geographical location and its architectural envelope, a neo-Gothic chapel, the art center maintains a privileged relationship with the heritage of Thouars. Guest artists, hosted for residencies or exhibitions, appropriate the chapel space by creating an original work designed for the venue. They also bring their perspective to the city, urban planning, landscape, and rural areas of the Thouars region and the Thouet Valley. Since 1993, nearly a hundred artists have been invited for residencies or exhibition projects. In recent years, the art center has paid particular attention to emerging artists from art schools, particularly those from the regional Le Grand Huit network. In addition to its programming, the art center also engages in outreach activities in the form of off-site exhibitions, workshops, and events (meetings, lectures, and workshops). A mobile device, La Mar(g)elle, was created in 2015 by the artist Marie-Ange Guilleminot to offer interventions in partner locations, particularly within schools and structures in the social and medical sectors. For its educational action, the art center benefits from the action of the municipal art school of Thouars, to which it is connected within the visual arts department of the City of Thouars.

Dating from the 13th century, at the foot of the city ramparts, this bridge ultimately offers the best view of the Château de Thouars.

This bridge allows you to cross the Thouet and reach Saint Jacques De Thouars. The view there is magnificent! There is a good hill to climb after the bridge, be careful when choosing the pinion!

The Chouans bridge on the Thouet is a medieval bridge which crosses the Thouet river between Thouars and Saint-Jean-de-Thouars. The bridge was fortified in the 15th century and witnessed the passage of the Vendée army during the French Revolution. You can admire the architecture of the bridge which has two arches and triangular spouts on the piers. You can also enjoy the view of the river and the castle of the Dukes of La Trémoille on the hill. The bridge is classified as a historic monument and has been restored several times.

Don't believe them when they tell you they don't do food, just come back 10 minutes later and ask again. Great stop!