Travel Guide La Garnache

The Roman civilization left traces of buildings inhabited by the Pictons tribe. In the5th-6th centuries, the first "moustiers" (monasteries) appeared, including that of La Garnache, opened in 673 on the island of Noirmoutier by Philbert. The dynasty of the lords of La Garnache began around 1045, under the authority of the viscount of Thouars and extended over a vast territory (Beauvoir, Bois-de-Céné, islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier, Sallertaine...). Until 1214, six lords built and fortified the castle, before lands and buildings passed successively to the families of Belleville, Clisson and Rohan Soubise. After 1534, the city was disputed for 80 years between Calvinists and Catholics. This troubled period ended with the promulgation of the Edict of Nantes in 1598. In 1622, Louis XIII ordered the dismantling of the fortress. It is in the house of Fonteclose that the victors of Machecoul insurgent against the Republic came on March 14 to seek Charette. Captured by Hoche, he was shot in Nantes on March 29, 1796. The village was built around the castle, surrounded by ramparts and moats. Rich heritage: menhir of the Devil's Stone, Butte Cavalière tumulus, the two towers and the keep of the old castle, Charette's manor house, all four of them Historic Monuments. Also worth seeing are the Notre-Dame-de-la-Victoire chapel, the Notre-Dame church and the castles of Fonteclose, des Planches, de la Poirière, de l'Équaizière and de Bel Enton.