Commune in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Photo: Patrick Despoix, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Thouars is a small city in Deux-Sèvres.
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Collège Marie de la Tour d'Auvergne
It was built in a strategic location over the Thouet river in 1638. The main building is used as a junior high school, it can't be visited but seeing it from the outside is still worth it. Also check the chapel, stables, the view over the river, and the orangery which served as a model for those in Versailles.
Roman church of the 11th century.
A masterpiece of Roman architecture.
Small Gothic chapel, it often hosts modern art exhibitions.
Mostly built for defense, the tower was also a food warehouse for the army, et in the 17th century it became a prison for salt smugglers. Salt was essential to preserve meat, and subject to a heavy tax, while being tax-free in the neighbouring region Vendée. The tower can be visited, and contains modern art installations. City walls are visible around.
Built for defense, this tower also served as housing for the garrison. The provost hold was both the tax collector and garrison chief. The tower is situated in front of the plain, which was the most vulnerable border of the city. Built in the 12th century, it is a great example of Middle-Age military architecture. Go under the gate to discover its two portcullis and three murder-holes.
With vertiginous slopes and exotic plants, this park is also interesting for seeing the city walls.
Grand townhouse built by the king Louis XI to thank Louis Tyndo who allowed the city to come under the control of the Crown, it has an interesting pentagon-shaped tower and two wings.
Bowling, squash, badminton, no-alcohol bar.
Moulin de Crevant
Gristmill and former stables, small museum. Guided tours.
Centre d’Interprétation Géologique du Thouarsais
CRRL
Museum about the Resistance movement during World War II.
Swimming pool with indoor and outdoor pools, and a view on the green valley. Huge terrasse with deckchairs, water slides.
Traditional Maghreb cuisine is a relatively formal setting.
Gastronomy restaurant, with a golf course just on the side.
€13 lunch menu.
Very nice café with an artistic atmosphere.
Enjoy the terrace at the entrance of the main shopping street.
The most active place at night. Young crowd, DJ, small dance floor.
18 rooms. Free WiFi. Nice view on the old town center, which is reachable after a 10 minutes walk along a big road. Good restaurant.
On the side of the river, directly down from Imbert Park and the old town center. 09:00-12:00, 15:30-19:30, only during summer.
Historical building in which the market takes places every Tuesday and Friday morning. Friday's market is the largest.
The historical center can be visited by foot. The city is also enjoyable by bicycle, with a few hard slopes along the Thouet river valley. Cars won't have any issue finding parking space.
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Poitiers/Biard · Regional · PIS
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