Travel Guide Velluire

Velluire is crossed by the river Vendée. Velluire has developed thanks to an important river trade since the Middle Ages and in particular the transport of stones extracted from the quarries of Massigny. This was still the case thanks to the railroad: the old station was built in the 19th century, facilitating the traffic between Nantes and Bordeaux. If you pass through this small commune, which is now linked to Poiré-sur-Velluire under the name of Les Velluire-sur-Vendée, don't miss the 12th century church, dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist, the bridge at the foot of the Auberge de la Rivière, and in particular the hold, which allowed the loading and unloading of boats. At the time, the bridge did not exist, the link between the two banks was ensured by two "ferries", the road bridge was only built in the 19th century. You can also see the wash house, and the Hutte du Cul-des-Mottes, the last existing small farm on the towpath. Velluire has merged with the commune of Poiré-sur-Velluire, and is now called "Les Velluire-sur-Vendée". As for Poiré-sur-Velluire, today classified as a Reserve, it was formerly an ancient port of the Gulf of the Pictons; its ancient village was moved, and all that remains is a ruined chapel in the middle of a field. Today its communal meadow is classified as a regional nature reserve. To see the castle, then in the church Notre-Dame-du-bon-Secours, admire the baroque altarpiece, built in 1654, one of the most beautiful of the south of the Vendée.