The forest of Mervent

A remarkable site, a real green lung of the Vendée.

The forest of Mervent-Vouvant covers some 5,000 hectares, making it one of the most remarkable natural sites in the Vendée.

A hilly landscape planted with remarkable sessile oaks, populated by a variety of animal species including numerous deer, crossed by streams and waterfalls leading to the water reservoir and its dam, the Mervent forest offers many opportunities forsports and leisure activities: hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, climbing, boating, fishing…

Also a place of legend, you may come across the beautiful and powerful fairy Melusine who sometimes haunts the depths of the forest…

Vouvant

Medieval city and one of the most beautiful villages in France. Perched on a promontory overlooking the river Mère, Vouvant is enclosed in its ramparts of which many vestiges still remain.

Vouvant was born from the legend of the fairy Mélusine, ancestor of the counts of Lusignan, who would have given in one night, a castle to the village. Of this building, only the keep called “Tour Mélusine” remains.

Stroll along the ramparts and through the narrow cobblestone streets of the city to the House of Melusine where you will learn all about the famous fairy.
The jewel of Vouvant is undoubtedly its church Notre-Dame, masterpiece of the Romanesque art of Poitou. You will admire a superb representation of the Last Supper, Jesus sitting with his apostles.

From spring to autumn, Vouvant, Village of Painters, hosts multiple exhibitions and organizes many events around recognized painters.