And back on my local road warrior mode, this time going south to old Brittany in the Loire Atlantique dept 44 of the new Pays de la Loire region. A wonderful coastal trip of my belle France just south of me with plenty of architecture, history, and beaches, Let me tell you about the Curiosities of Villeneuve en Retz !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The town of Villeneuve-en-Retz has been, since January 1, 2016, a new French town born from the merger of the towns of Bourgneuf-en-Retz and Fresnay-en-Retz. Originally the town of Bourgneuf is itself, the new town of the parish of Saint-Cyr-en Retz. For a long time, the history of these three villages has been linked to the importance of proximity to the sea, the bay of Bourgneuf and the city of Nantes. So places might seems from the same town today,but they are in different villages apart,Therefore, the main town is 16 km from Pornic, 53 km from Nantes, and 153 km from my house.
The Pays de Retz or country of Retz extends to the department of Loire-Atlantique 44. It is one of the traditional countries of Brittany of the Ancien Régime (monarchy), erected as barony then as a duchy. The country of Retz was the stronghold of the different families of the lords of Retz, most of whom were not Breton, and who have followed families since the 11C, The Pays de Retz was one of the main fiefs of Gilles Retz, companion in arms of Jeanne d’Arc and Maréchal de France. It was also the stronghold of the Gondi family, of Italian origin, located in France under the regency of Catherine de Médicis in the 16C, and for whom it became duchy. It was still one of the main places of deployment of the Vendée wars during the French revolution. The country of Retz is currently made up of 40 towns, therefore, Villeneuve-en-Retz, composed of the old town of Bourgneuf-en-Retz, itself encompassing the ancient village of Saint-Cyr-en-Retz, and the old town of Fresnay-en-Retz, Also, La Bernerie en Retz, Pornic and Préfailles,(see posts).
You can see the Musée du Pays de Retz or Museum of the Pays de Retz, located at 6 rue des Moines, old Bourgneuf en Retz, this museum which tells the story of the country of Retz, from Prehistory to the present day, is installed in the former convent of the Cordeliers de Saint-François . The visit allows you to discover and keep the memory of traditional trades that have disappeared, as well as popular traditions, restored with accuracy and leaving a feeling of nostalgia. Audiovisual videos and a library (only by appointment) containing many rare works complete the visit. Temporary exhibitions and entertainment.
I will put it here as it is a separate monument, there is a nice calvary of Christ on the Cross just outside the Church Saint Cyr et Saint Julitte (see post) in Saint Cyr en Retz; worth keeping it here me think.
Another curiosity worth mention is the former Bourgneuf presbytery dates from before the 17C. In the city settled between the 12C and 15C a convent of Franciscan or Cordeliers monks ,were located at the level of the current museum pays de Retz, a church, and several chapels . The faithful being more and more numerous, the old church will be demolished and then rebuilt and the cemetery moved. Today, the building of this presbytery still exists, with a few walls of ramparts. However, it no longer belongs to the diocese. It has become private property. The house is hosting tourist accommodation today. In a niche giving on the side of the wall of the Church Notre Dame de Bon Port,(see post) there is a statue of Joan of Arc en cast iron.
Other things to see in the area of Villeneuve en Retz are:
The Château de la Noë-Briord, village of St Cyr, This is the seat of the lordship of La Noë-Briord. In 1681, by letters patent, Louis XIV created the Châtellenie de la Salle en Fresnay by uniting the lordship of the Salle to that of Noë-Briord that had bought in 1675 Note that the Manoir de la Noë-Briord and its farms were still under the Châtellenie de Bourgneuf.
A bit of history I like tell us that the Bourg-Neuf was born in the 11C. A small fort dominated both the Saint-Laurnet priory and the old port. In the 14C, the Saint-François-des-Cordeliers convent was founded, the port of Bourgneuf experienced its peak in the 17C, and the bay of Brittany exports its salt throughout Northern Europe. There were in 1552 up to 200 merchant ships in the harbor. The Nantes – Pornic railroads passed to Bourgneuf in 1875. Today the sea no longer bathes the shores of Bourgneuf en Retz, and the salt marshes which made its former prosperity have all disappeared, Located on the former shore of the Gulf of Machecoul, the former town of Fresnay en Retz developed at the foot of the Château de la Noë-Briord, in the town of Bourgneuf en Retz. The inhabitants exploited the first salt marshes in the region when the sea is removed. The oldest archive documents date back to 1158. They mention a donation of land from a lord of Fresnay to an abbey. Then different sires of Fresnay illustrated themselves in fights alongside the sires of Clisson and the Dukes of Brittany. In 1791, the church of Fresnay was closed with authority. The inhabitants, unhappy, are among the first to take the side of the insurrection under the leadership of the former lord of the Salle, the Marquis de La Roche-Saint-André, then of Charette. When republican troops arrive, the insurgents take refuge in the marshes. But the town suffers from reprisals.
The town of Villeneuve en Retz on its heritage : https://villeneuvenretz.fr/tourisme/visitez-villeneuve/
The Pornic tourist office on Villeneuve en Retz : https://en.pornic.com/villeneuve-en-retz-destintion-pornic.html
There you go folks, a short but pleasant trip to the beautiful old Bretagne, that is Loire Atlantique dept 44. The sea at its best, nice monuments, and pleasant road warrior driving were all that was needed, we have been back !!!! Again, hope you enjoy the post on the curiosities of Villeneuve en Retz !!! as I.
And remember happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 