Day 2 : SAINT-LOUP-LAMAIRE - MAULEVRIER (117 on 334 km)
Nestled in the valley of Thouet the Saint-Loup castle is one of the most beautiful historical homes from the XVIIth century.
Reach Airvault and its Saint-Pierre church from the XIIth and XIII th centuries which owns an outstanding porch.
This journey will lead to Bressuire, famous for its livestock market which is held at the foot of the Gothic church Notre-Dame.
Before travelling a scenic road which edges the valley you will admire the castle site, long ago the stronghold of the powerful Beaumont-Bresonice baronnie. In order to reach Pouzauges you will dawdle between the meadows of the upper Vendéen bocage where magnificent bovines graze.
Here you are in Chouan land. A cross inside the surrounding walls of the ruins of the Pouzauges castle evokes the souvenir of the Vendéens opposed to the French revolutionaries.
Stop in Saint-Michel-Mont-Mercure to visit the church tower where you will discover the immensity of the Vendéen bocage.
Before the Epesses you will distinguish the Mill of Landes, typical of the Vendéen mills with a mobile roof where some wings are hanged. At the Puy-du-Fou you will experience a real historical fresco with its Roman circus, knighthood, falconry shows and above all the extraordinary Cinescénie which recreates the history of the Vendéen peasantry. Then you will reach the valley of the Nantaise Sèvre towered by the village of Mallièvre which shelters an amazing Maison de l’eau.
You will travel along up to Maulévrier where you will find back the site of the massacres during the Vendée wars.
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