Travel Guide Les Brouzils

Neolithic axes, preserved in the museums of Nantes, as well as the Pierre Blanche, and the pagan tradition related to it, attest to the ancient occupation of the territory. Some people claim that the name of the commune originates from the name of the priory of the order of "Cluny de Brosilis", founded by the Benedictine monks of Cluny, which is derived from "brogilium" (ogiliom designated the sacred wood), which can be compared to the forest of Grasla. Others have claimed that "Brouzils" comes from "brushwood". The village, built around the 12th century priory, dominates the parish. As in the whole region, strongly affected by the wars of religion, some of the Brouzilians converted to Protestantism. When the Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685, Charles Sajot de La Bedoutière, being a Protestant, emigrated to Southampton. His brother, René Isaac, was Catholic. One of his daughters died a Carmelite nun in 1772. In 1794, part of the population hides in the forest of Grasla, the other one follows the Vendée army north of the Loire during the Virée de Galerne. Some families fled the fighting, taking refuge in Nantes. Approximately 250 Brouziliens died during the wars of the Vendée. Tourist site not to be missed: The Refuge of Grasla is linked to this history: it will make you live and discover the life of the inhabitants of the Country of Grasla who took refuge to escape the infernal columns of Turreau in 1794. Heritage to see: the castle of La Colle, the castle of Ligny, the windmill of Sauvetrière, the house of Duranderie and the priory.