The most beautiful religious buildings Vendée

A jewel of Romanesque and Gothic art, it is one of the finest religious buildings in Vendée with its remarkable architecture of the th and th centuries Plantagenet style. This Romanesque pearl delights the esthètes, but inspires equally the mystery when one discovers successively the grimacing masks of omnipresent modillons, three strange statues private of their thoughts, a crypt well obscure, without forgetting the arrogant "malebête" toisant the visitor from the top of his pediment…

Dedicated in a very logical way to the skipper's boss, who provided in this municipality most of the trade and communications, this building erected around 1150 presents a remarkable facade, carved capitals, and a beautiful virgin virgin of the th century. The volume in particular is representative of Romanesque art. A walking tour starts in front of the church to cross the dikes of the young Autise. It will let you discover the Maillé aqueduct, interesting and very efficient, since two channels intersect without ever the waters mixing.

The monastery was founded in Dreux in 1860 by the Sisters of Avignon. In 1940, the city was bombed. The community found refuge in Niort and then moved to Vouvant in the Vendée in 1941. At the Liberation, the monastery of Dreux, in too bad a state, was sold. The chapel of the monastery of Vouvant was consecrated in 1959. In 1997, the community moved to La Roche-sur-Yon at the suggestion of Bishop Garnier.

The Visitandines offer 3 possibilities of welcome:

On the one hand in a monastic hostel on the^1st floor, without lift. Meals are provided (you can also organise your own meals with a minimum of equipment: fridge, microwave oven and heating cupboard). The stay is from 1 to 8 days. Welcome for ladies and gentlemen. And also an independent house (Bethany).

And on the other hand, a special welcome to the Visitation order, in enclosure, for ladies, young girls or religious. These retreatants have their meals with the community and have access to the monastery grounds. They are free to organize their day. They are asked to respect silence and to spend the duration of their stay in the enclosure, which is a maximum of 8 days. The chapel is open to all from 6.45 am to 7 or 8 pm. Reception: 5 rooms in the enclosure and 5 rooms outside the enclosure, one of which has two beds, on the^first floor, without lift. In a monastic hostel for stays of 8 days maximum + the Bethany house with 4 rooms (kitchen, living room, garden) in autonomy.