The best traffic-free bike rides around Pressigny

The Church of Notre-Dame de La Peyratte was built in the early 12th century by the monks of the Abbey of Sainte-Croix de Talmont in the Diocese of Luçon. Its austerity, simplicity, and choice of building materials make it a fine example of the churches of Gâtine. The work involves the general restoration of the church in five phases, beginning with the exterior and then the interior. The project management was entrusted to the Marie-Pierre Nigués agency, a heritage architect. A diagnostic study conducted in 2016 by the Niguès firm estimated the total cost of the work at €1,619,783 excluding tax. Prior to the start of work, the church underwent an archaeological assessment in 2018 and a study of the painted decorations in September 2019. The Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs is subsidizing the first phase of exterior work, 45% in 2017, 50% in 2021, and 40% in 2022. The municipality is benefiting from an exceptional Local Investment Support Grant of €120,000 for the entire exterior work. The Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region and the Deux-Sèvres Departmental Council are financial partners in the project. A subscription is also open on the Heritage Foundation's website. The Regional Conservation of Historic Monuments – Poitiers site and the Deux-Sèvres Departmental Architecture and Heritage Unit of the DRAC are providing scientific and technical oversight for this restoration.

Well-lit by stained-glass windows by Lux Fournier, this neo-Romanesque church exudes a certain intimacy. There was a church in Amberre at the beginning of the 11th century; it disappeared, replaced in the 19th century by the current building. Well-lit by stained-glass windows by Lux Fournier, this neo-Romanesque church is very pleasant, even warm. The single nave, with its barrel vault and transverse arches, opens onto a five-sided apse, exuding a certain intimacy.

The Château de la Roche-Faton, located in Lhoumois (Deux-Sèvres) in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, is an elegant castle listed as a Historic Monument, dating from the medieval period and enriched during the Renaissance. 🏰 History & Architecture Mentioned as early as 1179, burned down in 1417, it was rebuilt starting in 1544 by Mathurin Pidoux. It comprises three buildings around a courtyard, round towers, a gatehouse with drawbridges (now lost), and outbuildings built in the 17th century. The fortified entrance is flanked by machicolations, while the central building includes a 15th-16th-century main building, crowned by an authentic spiral staircase. 🖼️ Interiors & Decor Several intact fireplaces from the 15th and 18th centuries, as well as a large living room decorated with 18th-century stucco. The Saint-Nicolas Chapel contains the tombstones of Charles-Marie-Auguste de Beaumont, Marquis d'Autichamp, and his wife. 🌳 Gardens & Park An English-style landscaped park and French gardens – designed in the 17th century by the Lords of Vassé – surround the château. A pond from the former moat also remains. 🛡️ Protection & Visits Listed as a Historic Monument: facades and roofs of the main building registered in 1973, wings of the outbuildings in 1993. A private property belonging to the du Dresnay family, the château is open for guided tours of the exterior and for events such as European Heritage Days.

Imperial!

He's a real eye-catcher!

Château de Dissay, located in Vienne, is a magnificent example of medieval and Renaissance architecture in France. Built in the 15th century, this castle is surrounded by a moat and formal gardens, providing an enchanting setting for a stroll. It is distinguished by its elegant round towers, slate roofs, and its façade decorated with sculpted details, which tell the rich history of this place. When visiting Château de Dissay, you can explore its sumptuous interiors, where history and refinement meet. The rooms are decorated with period furniture, tapestries, and works of art, giving a glimpse into the aristocratic life of yesteryear. The castle chapel, with its stained glass windows and frescoes, is a gem not to be missed. The castle's meticulously maintained gardens are another highlight of the visit. They invite you to stroll, with their flower-lined paths, geometric flowerbeds, and peaceful ponds. It is an ideal place to relax, admire the beauty of the landscape, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere that reigns here. Walking around the Château de Dissay is like taking a trip back in time, while enjoying the serenity and splendor of a preserved historical setting.

Don't believe them when they tell you they don't do food, just come back 10 minutes later and ask again. Great stop!

The Château de Coussay, inspired by the Italian Renaissance, is one of the first examples of the French Renaissance. Armand-Jean Duplessis, then bishop of Luçon, lived there before becoming the famous Cardinal de Richelieu in 1622.