A walking in the heart of Fontenay-le-Comte

18 November 2018

As a subprefecture of Vendée, Fontenay-le-Comte is a city steeped in history. Along the River which gave its name to the department, the capital city of Lower-Poitou is filled with dwellings and mansions from the Renaissance period as well as medieval vestiges. As you walk in the heart of the city, you discover a charming town of the Marais poitevin.

Walk in the center of Fontenay le Comte along the Vendée river.

The walking trail, an original way to discover Fontenay-le-Comte

The trail “Coeur de ville » is a walking trail created by the city of Fontenay-le-Comte in association with the French Federation of Trailing Vendée. This 5.5-kilometer trail allows you to discover the city from various angles. Starting from the “Place de Verdun”, it gives pedestrians the possibility to follow the quays of the Vendée to the “Pont Neuf” and then discover the “Parc Baron”. This park has been the place of the first lords of Fontenay in the 11^th century. We can still see numerous testimonies of this medieval past such as the former towers or fortifications, as well as the Baron Castle – 19^th century – which overlooks the hill. The “Parc Baron” is making the most of its position to offer a spectacular view of the city. It is also the home of the “Parc Baron Aventure”, a true maze of nets dedicated to the aerial exploration of youngsters and older people.

The monuments and roofs of the city of Fontenay le Comte

A town filled with Art and History in the heart of the Marais poitevin

The Rivalland Tower.

With the help of a city map given by the Tourism Office which contains detailed explanations, we go through different places of the city. The Espierre Park and its sculpted trees, the former Viète school or eve the Castle of Terre-Neuve are some of the many curiosities to discover. Built in 1580, this unescapable monument of the heritage in South Vendée is a true masterpiece of the Renaissance period that can be visited from May to September. Facing the entry of the castle stands the Rivalland Tower. This unusual concrete tower is very interesting, considering its architecture as well as the Masonic symbols. The walking continues, longing the Vendée River through the ” Voie verte ” path, before returning to the starting point: the Place de Verdun. This nice walking trail contains however several stairs and slopes that make it hardly accessible for persons with reduced mobility.                      

In addition to the “Coeur de ville” circuit, the trail “Les cèdres” (the cedars) follows a different path that is easily accessible, especially for strollers. It allows you to discover others tourist attractions such as the garden of the Jacobins, the “Place Belliard”, the church of Our Lady or the “Quatre Tias” fountain.

As the historic rival of Luçon for the supremacy of South Vendée, Fontenay-le-Comte has an important historic heritage. Discovering the city by walk and taking time to admire its heritage allows you to appreciate the hidden treasures.

By foot, by bike or by boat, the Marais poitevin offers unique and original experiences to enjoy with your family or your friends!