Aire de Vouvant
Tarifs
Nombre d'emplacements
Équipements et services
Description
Tourisme
Vouvant (Vendée, France)
Vouvant is a medieval village perched on a river bend, famous for its picturesque setting and preserved heritage. Listed among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, it retains cobbled lanes, old houses and fortified remains that tell its past. Tourism remains intimate: visitors come for walks, nature and small art galleries. The village also serves as a gateway to the vast nearby forest.
Heritage and history
At the heart of Vouvant dominate the remains of the feudal castle, with the famous Tour Mélusine, a medieval keep that offers a recognizable silhouette. The ramparts and some old gates materialize the site’s defensive framework. Small plaques and panels provide local history, visible at every street corner. The whole forms a fine example of a fortified market town in western France.
Nature and landscapes
Vouvant stretches along a watercourse lined with plane trees and serves as the vestibule to the Mervent‑Vouvant forest, a large massif of oaks and beeches. Waymarked trails, riverside walks and shady spots invite hiking and cycling. The views from the heights of the village mix old roofs and a wooded backdrop.
Atmosphere and lifestyle
The village hosts craftsmen, painters and gallery owners; you often find open studios and small shops of local products. Cafés and terraces remain modest but welcoming, conducive to wandering. The atmosphere keeps a calm pace, suited to visitors seeking authenticity.
Not to miss
- Tour Mélusine: iconic medieval keep and viewpoint over the village.
- Ramparts and castle remains: visible traces of the medieval enceinte.
- Mervent‑Vouvant forest: trails, hikes and preserved nature.
- Art galleries and studios: local scenes of craft and painting.
- Medieval lanes: wandering among old houses and vaulted passages.
