Vouvant

The Association of the Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Beautiful Villages of France) was set up around 1982 initially by Charles Ceyrac, Mayor of Collonges-la-Rouge. Today, it includes 155 villages in 21 regions and 69 départements. Vouvant, the only fortified town in the Vendée, is a member of this elite club and with some justification as it is one of the most appealing of France’s villages being located on a high bluff overlooking the River Mère.

The village itself was created at the beginning of the 11th century close to the 20,000 acre forest of Mervant. The site was chosen by William V, Duke of Aquitaine because of its strategic position and he ordered the monks living in Maillezais to build a stronghold, a church and monastery. The ramparts were added by the powerful Lusignan family in the 12th century to protect the town.

Tour Mélusine

Situated at the highest point in the village, is the tower of Mélusine (Tour Mélusine) which according to legend was built by the fairy Mélusine herself in a single night. This tower is all that remains of what was originally the château at Vouvant thought to have been built by the aforementioned Lusignan family around the middle of the 13th century. Today, Vouvant is often referred to as the ‘village of artists’ and the narrow streets of the town house a plethora of artists studios. From spring to autumn there are many exhibitions celebrating recognised and renowned artists.

The Legend of Mélusine

Over the centuries, this legend has become the Vendée’s very own fairytale. According to the story, Mélusine is said to have murdered her father and as punishment for this, the lower half of her body was changed to that of a serpent every Saturday evening. Not long after, she met Raimondin who was the young nephew of the count of Poitiers and when he asked herto marry him, she agreed on condition that he would never gaze upon her on a Saturday evening. Apparently everything was fine for many years and the couple lived in the château at Vouvant which Mélusine is supposed to have built in only one night. Inevitably however curiosity got the better of Raimondin and on one particular Saturday evening he entered his wife’s room as she was bathing only to recoil in shock at the sight of her serpents tail! At this, Mélusine is said to have flown out of the window and after encircling the castle three times she disappeared never to be seen again.

Ever since that day she is said to have haunted the town of Vouvant. Mélusine is supposed to have built many of the castles in the region and after this incident and her subsequent disappearance, each of the castles built by her were said to have fallen into ruin at a rate of one stone per year. This is supposed to explain why the châteaux of Pouzauges and Tiffauges are today in ruins.

Tour Mélusine Vouvant – Photo Gallery

The Church of L’Église Notre Dame

In the summer, people flock to the town to enjoy the medieval atmosphere and admire the facade of the church of L’Église Notre-Dame.

This Romanesque church is surely one of the marvels of the Vendée with its wonderfully carved creatures which arch above the twin doorway and also the life-sized statues which include the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist. Inside the church you can also enjoy more wonderful carvings in the crypt and in the south aisle, a stone slab commemorates Geoffrey la Grand Dent (long tooth) reputedly the son of Mélusine who received a Christian burial after showing repentance for his warmongering.