Chauray : une ville à la campagne

This former rural village, situated at the top of a hillside overlooking the Sèvre Niortaise, is cited for the first time in 904 in an act of the Abbey of St-Maixent. Its history is mainly marked by the exactions carried out against the Protestant population during the Dragonnades of the 17th century. To recall this past, the municipal coat of arms borrows that of Jacques Chalmot, lord of the Deffends, persecuted and forced into exile in Germany. The old town retains its original simplicity and the Bords de Sèvre reserve for walkers for 3.7 km a country and shady setting (development of 7 ha of meadows into paths and enhancement of the small heritage - medieval bridge, mills, wash-house, mini-park with deer).

To see: St-Pierre church, Temple of Chauray, castle of Chaban (XIXth century), the Roche du Montet (XIXth century) and Protestant cemeteries

What to do: Aquatic center and hiking