Gençay, in the heart of poitou

Topic

Sciences and discovery

Departure

GENCAY (86)

Details

Gençay, in the heart of Poitou, with its medieval castle and fairs and the floral park ‘Parc de la Belle’ with its cabins in the trees.

The Gençay tourist office welcomes you all year round to come for a few hours, a weekend, a week or longer or as you pass on your way to your holiday destination.

The office has information on accommodation, restaurants, leisure activities and events as well as places to visit and festivals. Tickets are available, to buy for various local tourist attractions.

One full time staff member and the various volunteers are there to respond to your demands. There are brochures, documents and information at your disposition to enable you to go and find the sites, enjoy the culture, the towns and the walks around the area.

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Historic tour of the city

On the basis of the town hall provided with the plan provided by the tourist office, you traverse the streets and the memory of the city while passing by the street St. Genevieve one of the smallest streets of France, the house of Sallée where the rights were paid on salt, the Old Castle, the Church of St Maurice etc… each point of the visit having its history told on a plate.

Accommodation nearby

Hôtel Normandoux

Terce
05 49 01 02 01

Hôtel Val de Vienne

Le vigeant
05 49 48 27 27

Discover the heritage of Gençay

The 13th century mediaeval Château: this military fortress is being restored, with a plan to erect a memorial to the Hundred Years' War. The Château was beseiged by the Duc de Berry, then the Black Prince held Jean Le Bon captive here after the Battle of Nouaillé Moupertuis in 1356. It was later given back to the English by Du Guesclin. There is a fine 11th century romanesque church at St Maurice la Clouère near the Château.

The 16th century Château de la Roche is worth a visit with its gardens, its salons, its chapel and the Order of Malta museum. It is open during the season or on request by telephoning 05.49.59.49.55.

There are several village churches that merit a detour for certain features: the façades at Sommières du Clain et Champagné St Hilaire, the façade modillions at Ferrière Airoux and the chevet modillions at Brion, the Priory at Usson du Poitou and also the beautiful romanesque St Pierre church.

Accommodation nearby

Hôtel Normandoux

Terce
05 49 01 02 01

Hôtel Val de Vienne

Le vigeant
05 49 48 27 27

The Inter-town circuits

All the Gencéen Country has the inter-town circuits marked out with the logo of the Fox, that is to say nearly 200 km of walks between wood, plains and rivers.

Champagné Saint Hilaire: Fish, Pétanque, the Three Fountains bases leisures free, plays, 2 artificial lake, wood, fishing, game of bowls, tennis, etc….
"On the steps d' Andre Léo" , this gating circuit the name of a writer, militant within the International Labour movement. Friend of Louise Michel, having taken an active part in the commune of Paris in 1870 and 1871, it lived her youth with Champagné St Hilaire of 1830 to 1851. Part of the circuit is particularly dedicated to l' one of its books: A scandalous marriage, of which you will be able to read extracts on the panels placed along the course.
Saint Maurice La Clouère: Water level, fishes, arboretum, foot, dance, drives out.
Gençay: Swimming pool, cinema, library, Roller Park, game of bowls, volleyball, foot, judo, tennis, shooting with the arc, fish, tennis shoe, water level, surface of leisures.
Cabrirandos: Unique in France, but developed in the other countries, the excursion with goats begin with the “Farm from the spine” of Garnier Castle. Accustomed as of their more young age to follow the walkers, they are held with the longe only on the edges of the roads and in the crossings of villages.