Saint-Symphorien

First mentioned in 980, the village was renamed Symphorian by the Revolution, then Phorien-s. -Sèvre because his initial syllable had the same association as the proscribed adjective. The town can be proud to have seen the birth of Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th president of the United States: Pierre-François Creuzé, born in 1693, huguenot persecuted, emigrated to England, then to the Americas. Amédée de La Porte, mayor of St-Symphorien and owner of the castle of Lens, is, in the 19th century, chief of staff of the Minister of Public Works, then under-secretary of State for the Navy. His son Henri also embraces a distinguished career as Minister of Public Instruction, perpetual secretary of the French Academy and one of the major political actors of the Deux-Sèvres.

To see: chateau-mairie and its panoramic wallpapers, St-Symphorien church, Baril bay and its wash-houses...