Travel Guide Commequiers

The history of Commequiers begins in prehistory with its megaliths: the most famous, the dolmen of Pierres-Folles. Another important moment in its history was the 10th century when the first known barony appeared with Baron Urvoy. At the end of the 11th century, Commequiers had its own stronghold which was probably a feudal mound. In the 15th century, Louis de Beaumont, adviser to King Charles VII, undertook the construction of the castle according to an octagonal plan, flanked by eight towers and with a rigorous arrangement of houses around the central courtyard. This configuration makes the castle of Commequiers a unique building and a jewel of the military art of the late Middle Ages in the Vendée. It was dismantled in 1628 under the orders of Cardinal de Richelieu. Listed in the supplementary inventory of historical monuments in 1926, it became the property of the commune of Commequiers in 1974. To preserve this heritage, a restoration is necessary, the castle of Commequiers has launched a subscription to donations, as part of the Heritage Foundation, managed by Stéphane Bern! In 1880, the railway line between Nantes and Challans is extended to La Roche-sur-Yon, it then passes through Commequiers, where the station is built. Only a section of the old line between Commequiers and Coex has been preserved: it is now a tourist site, the Vélo-Rail, which offers families the opportunity to ride along the old railway line on a draisine.