The central town of
the South Vendee with the richest
architectural heritage in the area. The capital of the lower
Poitou. Awarded the 1996 prize for the art of living.
It is in the beautiful city of
Fontenay-le-Comte
baptized ”Fountain of noble minds”, by Francois 1st, that
Rabelais opened his mind to humanism.
In the foot steps of the creator of Pantagruel, the walker will discover
rich mansions, shady parks and elegant squares, witnesses of a
prestigious past.
The Renaissance was an age of splendour for Fontenay-le-Comte. The
finest buildings date from this era: the mansions, the bell-tower of the
Church of Notre Dame, the Chateau of Terre Neuve, The Fountain of the 4
Tias, emblem of the city, the hotel Grimouard, the Seneshals Court and
many more.
Features Include:
A multitude of large shops and supermarkets.
Indoor fresh sea food,
meat, and cheese market.
Saturday out door market.
Indoor swimming pool for all the family
(with sauna end solarium for relaxation)
Many beautiful parks
and architectural buildings.
The Forest
On the NORTH side of
Fontenay-le-Comte
(where we are) is the forest of Mervent-Vouvant, which is
both publicly and privately owned, and is renowned for it's natural beauty
and tranquillity. This is one of the last
large wooded
areas of France spreading over 5,000 hectares of mainly oak trees. The forest charm is due as much to its countryside as to the two
rivers crossing it: the Mere and the Vendee. (angler’s paradise)
The forest’s judicious development offers several sporting and
leisure activities:
| Amusement Park and Beach Area Many
river side beaches, one with a large bar complex, and many
restaurants and bars.
A small Zoo.
Paddling, boating and canoeing.
Swimming facilities.
Pick-Nick Areas - Benches and cooking,
provided throughout the area. |
 |
The massive forest spreads
over five communes
Pissotte - best known for
its vineyards
L’Orbrie - has a
superb 5 hectares departmental park
Mervent - has an imposing
feudal fortress
Vouvant - one of the
most beautiful villages in France
Bourneau - the private massif forest around Faussais-Payre- "little town of character" and St Michel-le
Cloucq architectural remains from the 10th century are items
of note in this area.
Puy du Fou
An hour North and you reach Puy du Fou. A grand park with spectacular
re-lived scenes of the past, this should not be missed by any visitor to this
region. (Additional information and links at end of page).
The Water Ways
On the
SOUTH side of
Fontenay-le-Comte
is the local airdrome for light aircraft flying, beyond which
is the Poitou Marshes now called the Marais Poitevin (the Green Venice)
extending over 9,600 hectares
Discover the secret waterways and marshlands by punt. The calm and
sheer beauty will bewitch you! Only the boatmen know the ins and out of this green
labyrinth of little canals, vaulted over with ash trees.
A Biological reserve
A multitude of embarkation points for the "VeniseVert"
A restaurant aboard a large barge with magnificent views
River Cruising
The Sea
On the
WEST side of
Fontenay-le-Comte
just 40 minutes drive is the Atlantic Ocean and the Historic
city of La Rochelle and a coast with so many facilities it would be
impossible to name them all, so I have listed just a few below:
Long sandy beaches (can be isolated or communal)
Nature reserves
Bird watching
Museums aquatic and terrestrial
International Airport of La Rochelle, Boat trips (one to
Fort
Bouyard
On your way to the coast you might call in at:-
The Musee de l’Automobile located les Sables-d’Olonne
and Talmont, displaying some 160 motor vehicles dated from 1885 to the
1960s
Inland
To the
EAST side of
Fontenay-le-Comte
is a Go Cart track. The apple basket of France, the Duex
Serve, where there is Faymoreau a Mining village complete with tour of a
mine as it was years ago.
Futuroscope
Only 1¼ hours away from us is Futuroscope. (Additional information
and links at end of page).
Restaurants
| Le Rabelais (Route de Parthenay) |
Fontenay le Comte |
02 51 69 86 20 |
| Le Lion D'or (Centre of town) |
La Chataigneraie |
02 51 52 67 33 |
| Le Glycine |
Fontenay le Comte |
02 51 69 17 24 |
| Le
Pinky |
Fontenay le Comte |
02 51 69 34 24 |
| Auberge du Pot Blue |
Pissotte |
02 51 69 16 32 |
| Auderge de Matitre
Pannetier |
Vouvant |
02 51 00 80 12 |
| Thuan-Thanh Chines/Vietnam (Phone
orders) |
Fontenay le Comte |
02 51 69 77 13 |
| Le Captain |
Fontenay le Comte |
02 51 69 02 10 |
| L'Auderge de la Venise
Vert |
Arcais |
02 49 35 37 15 |
| AuxChouans Gourments
**** |
Fontenay le Comte |
02 51 69 55 92 |
| Le Stelvio Pizzeria (Delivers) |
Antigny |
02 51 51 62 62 |
| McDonald's (If all else fails) |
Fontenay le Comte |
02 28 13 02 02 |
These are but a few, as there are snack bars and
restaurants throughout this area, one around every corner.
