What are the must-see attractions in the Thouarsais?
Between historical heritage, exceptional natural sites and must-see events, don't miss anything the Thouarsais has to offer!
Throughout the year, we invite you to explore our treasures through a wide range of activities and discoveries.
What are the upcoming events?
Discover and take part in festive, cultural and sporting events organised in the Thouarsais, according to your preferences and interests.
My favourites in the Thouarsais
Discover the towns of the area
St Jacques de Thouars
The commune is bordered by the Thouet River, which separates it from the town of Thouars on the opposite bank. As early as 1038, Saint-Jacques-de-Thouars became home to two priories: Saint-Nicolas and Saint-Jacques, both under the authority of the Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes Abbey. The latter lay along the historic route to Santiago de Compostela.
Between 1871 and 1873, a viaduct was built by the Gustave Eiffel Company to carry the railway line connecting Tours to Les Sables d’Olonne.
Today, the commune boasts four protected natural areas, including two designated ENS (sensitive natural areas): the Cascade du Pommier, a waterfall located in the Pressoir Valley, and the Coteau des Petits Sablons, a hillside known for its unique biodiversity.
Glenay
Glénay is a small commune in the northern Deux-Sèvres region, covering an area of 2,114 hectares and with a population of 567, whose settlement is known to date back to the Neolithic period. After a Celtic presence in 500-400 BC, there were numerous Roman villas, the produce of which was sent to Rome and its armies. Until the French Revolution, the villas became feudal properties, which the farmers-general bought up and sold off in smaller plots. Today's agriculture, mechanisation and the need for food have led to the creation of large estates.
The commune is located in a rural and agricultural environment. It is home to a number of medium-sized businesses. Over the last ten years or so, young couples have been moving to the area because of the peace and quiet and the low prices. Glénay is also at the crossroads of Bressuire, Parthenay and Thouars, and close to the new Nord Deux Sèvres hospital. Glénay is planning a private housing estate, Les Jardins du Thouarsais, comprising eight plots.
Pas de Jeu
Its name dates back to the Roman occupation of the region, when it was dangerous to cross the marshes of the Dive. A pagan altar, Passus Jovis, the Passage of Jupiter, was erected there. The place kept its name, ecclesia de Joco (1300), Pas de Jeu (1596) Passus Jovis or ‘Jupiter's Passage’. Since then, the Dive, a tributary of the Thouet, has been channelled The Dive is channelled downstream from Pas-de-Jeu. A path, formerly a towpath, follows its banks, making it easy to walk along the river. This church was built in 1874, opposite the old one, which was deemed too small and had been out of use since 1870. As the church was built over a cemetery, its ossuary was placed in the square of the transept in 1877.
Consecrated on Sunday 28 April 1878, the church's patron saint is Saint-Hilaire. The boat in the port of Saint-Laon in Pas-de-Jeu is emblematic. Found in the brambles near the port in the early 1990s by a resident of Saint-Laon, it weighs one tonne and measures 9.5 m in length, 1.90 m in width and 0.90 m at its highest point. It is mainly made of metal. There are also a few wooden parts. The boat was used for mowing the canal and its banks. It is the only known example in western France. It was returned to the old port in 1994.
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