Vouvant, Medieval village in Vendée, France
Vouvant is a fortified village surrounded by stone ramparts with the Tour Mélusine standing above the forest landscape. The settlement features narrow streets, historic buildings, and gates built into the defensive walls that still define its layout today.
The village began in the 11th century as a fortified settlement built under the authority of William V of Aquitaine. Its defensive structures and buildings shaped a layout that has remained largely the same through the following centuries.
The village keeps its medieval character alive through narrow streets and stone buildings that show how people lived centuries ago. Visitors walking these paths experience how locals move through the same spaces their ancestors used.
The village is best explored on foot since the narrow streets are designed for walking. The Tourist Office on Place du Bail offers maps and information about walking routes through the fortifications and nearby forest paths.
The Notre-Dame de l'Assomption Church displays Romanesque stone carvings that show medieval scenes and imaginary creatures. These detailed sculptures on the building reveal the craftsmanship of artisans from centuries past.
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