Tourist Information, Vendee History, Accommodation, Photos, Reviews, Maps,
Clisson
At the confluence of the River Sèvre Nantaise
and its tributary the river Moines lays the picturesque town of Clisson
with its roots in medieval history. Although just inside the Loire
Atlantique Department, the border of the Vendée comes to the very edge
of this great fortified town which played a central role in the Wars of the Vendée.
At that time the Department of the Vendée, which was created on 26th
February 1790, was only 4 years old and most of Clisson’s citizens still
considered themselves as inhabitants of the Bas Poitou.
The castle and the town were torched and ruined by the conflict in 1794
leaving only the market hall (a barracks for the Republicans) and two
river bridges standing. After the conflicts were concluded the town was
rebuilt by the wealthy Cacault brothers (from Nantes) and the sculptor
Francois-Frederic Lemot. His influence in particular lead to the Italian
look and feel of the town, so much so in fact, that many of the
business in the area built their water-mills and dwellings in similar
style. Lemot bought the ancient hunt de la Seigneurd de Clisson in 1805
and the chateau in 1807.
The walks along the Sèvre Nantaise River both north into the Loire
Atlantique or south into the Vendée are well rewarded. Just a mile or so
from town at Fouques on the Vendée side of the river starts the "Chemin
Vendée Vers Composte" which was opened in 2004,and is the start of the
walk way around the Vendée. Nearby is the Chapel Templar, founded
by the Knights de Malta who succeeded the Knights templar, and at the
time it was remarked as being the finest chapel in this area of France.
Here at Fouques you will find the old wooden decked road bridge that
crosses the river Sèvre Nantaise.
The town is well served by restaurants, bars and cafes and the tourist
information office by the town's old market hall was information, not
only on the town, but also on
the local wine route with wine on sale in their office. The Medieval
Market hall is a network of old oak posts and beams held together by oak
pegs.
Return to find more interesting towns and villages in the Vendee
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