The best road cycling routes around Pougne-Hérisson

The navel of the world is here, exactly here! In the street of wonders, a stone's throw from the Château d'Hérisson. Born in 1990, on the initiative of storyteller Yannick Jaulin, the Festival du Nombril du monde takes place every two years in Pougne-Hérisson. It presents itself as "a comical event that offers shows and fantasies around the performing arts. You meet storytellers, street artists, musicians, visual artists, poets, writers, speakers, and dreamers... A great excuse to get together and share an artistic, poetic, and human adventure with the locals and people from elsewhere. A festive and impertinent moment given to the world to question it and believe in its reinvention." From this festival, which has become a local institution (oh sorry, no... global!), what would today be called a 'tiers-lieu' has remained, offering "for 30 years a wheelbarrow full of cultural, tourist, educational, and professional activities, in order to promote storytelling and the performing arts." A truly unique place nestled in the heart of the Gâtine, where you can enjoy a touch of fantasy, with a hint of poetry, all accompanied by a good dose of humor.

The "Filles de Bressuire," monumental sculptural works by Franck Ayroles, adorn the Bressuire train station square. Installed in 2021, they welcome travelers as an artistic nod to the city.

Picturesque walk: Strolling along the bridge at the foot of the walls, with the tranquil waters of the Thouet River and the reflections of the arches, is a moment of pure bliss. Historical immersion: Walk in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims, protected by this powerful military structure, all in a still-authentic setting. Iconic photo: The view from the bridge—or from the banks slightly downstream—offers a perfect frame to capture the gate and its towers reflected in the river.

The fortified Saint-Jacques bridge (or “citadel bridge”) in Parthenay is a masterpiece of medieval architecture, bordered by its high walls and almond-shaped towers, offering an exceptional setting when the Thouet is reflected in the water.

Things to See & Do Ramparts: With approximately 30 semicircular towers, the granite walls symbolize medieval urban robustness. Ruined Castle: All that remains of the castle is a round tower (perhaps the keep) and sections of walls restored since the 1980s. Panoramic Walk: The rampart path offers splendid views of the Thouet Valley and the Saint-Paul district.

History & Architecture Medieval Construction: Built in the early 13th century under the aegis of John Lackland, the citadel rests on a natural promontory reinforced by three defensive walls, towers, and ramparts. Castle and Bastion: Its original, isolated castle included towers such as the Powder Tower and the Harcourt Tower. In the 15th century, Arthur de Richemont added the bastille and an artillery boulevard. Citadel Gate (or Clock Gate): The gatehouse is flanked by two almond-shaped towers and topped with a clock tower. A granite staircase provides access to the guardroom and the patrol path.

The citadel of Parthenay, nicknamed the "little Carcassonne of the West", is one of the city's heritage jewels, perched on a rocky spur overlooking the bend of the Thouet River.

Bressuire Castle is a medieval ruin dating from the 10th century and having belonged to the Beaumont family. You can discover the 700 meter long enclosure and its 38 towers, admire the romantic remains of the 15th century dwelling and enjoy the view of the chapel and the old slaughterhouse from the esplanade. The castle also hosts temporary exhibitions, sculpture symposia and treasure hunts in summer.