Curiosities of Thouars !!!

Once again, coming back from my road warrior trails in my belle FranceThis one after many passing finally went in City center of Thouars, with great architecture and history to boot. You will see plenty in next posts stay tune, Therefore, here is my take on curiosities of Thouars !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The City of Thouars is located in the Deux-Sèvres department no. 79 in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of my belle France. Thouars has been awarded the 4-flower flower town label and the Town of Art and History label, The nearest towns are Bressuire 30 km, Parthenay 40 km, Saumur 35 km , and Loudun 26 km. Niort, Poitiers, and Angers are also nearby. The town is 263 km from my current home, We came down on the N165 dir Nantes ,and by the rocade N844 connected with the N249 road dir Cholet at exit 14 by Mauléon and took the D759 road dir Nueil-les-Aubiers and continue on same road to the D39 and City center Thouars, parking right on Place Saint Médard !

The Henri-Barré Museum, the construction of the mansion was commissioned by Henri Barré. The collections are very diverse and spread over three levels: they bring together several themes, namely: French earthenware (Nevers, Moustiers, Rouen, etc.) and foreign earthenware (Delft, Faënza, etc.); fine arts, furniture, in the form of cabinets of curiosities; archaeological collections; and ethnographic collections. The Henri Barré Museum has been housed in a 19C mansion since 1920. Its collections are labeled Musée de France, as part of a process of protecting and showcasing the collections for all audiences. Awarded the “Qualité tourisme” label, the museum is a dynamic establishment: exhibitions, national events, and other events for young and old alike provide opportunities to discover the museum and its collections.

The ramparts, the city has a large enclosure dating from the 12C and 13C and several towers: the Prince of Wales Tower: food depot for the garrison then prison for salt smugglers; the Porte au Prévost Tower. Du Guesclin’s army entered here on November 30, 1372. A rectangular tower from the 12C to which a tower from the Plantagenet period with two turrets sloped at the base was added at the beginning of the 13C. The ramparts are also visible in Imbert Park, as well as along the Thouet river. The Maillot Gate, consisting of the postern and the Chouans Bridge, linking Thouars and Saint-Jean-de-Thouars, is part of this set of ramparts. To protect the city, vulnerable to the north and east, the Viscounts of Thouars had a powerful wall built, preceded by a very deep moat. Built in the 12C, the Tour Porte au Prévost was the main entrance to the city from the north and, in the event of war, its best defense. Formerly a gate of the medieval city, it consists of a square tower built in the 12C, completed in the 13C by two circular defense towers. This gate tower was protected by an advanced fort named Le Boël. The passage under the gate preserves the traces of a portcullis and stun guns. Outdoor visit only.

The Hôtel Tyndo is home to the Thouarsais Conservatory of Music and Dance. A masterpiece of late 15C architecture, it was the home of Louis Tyndo, seneschal of the Viscounty and friend of Louis XI, King of France. At the end of the 19C, the building became a girls’ school, then a middle school, and then a community center. The exterior is open year-round. Guided tours of the interior are available by reservation only.

The town of Thouars on its heritage : https://thouars.fr/ville-dhistoire/patrimoine-et-musee/

The Thouars tourist office on Thouars :https://www.maisonduthouarsais.com/decouvrir/patrimoine.html

The Deux Sévres dept 79 tourist office on Thouars : https://www.tourisme-deux-sevres.com/en/activite/thouars-ville-dart-et-dhistoire/

There you go folks, again, another gem of my belle France ! This is in wonderful City to be seen by all , rather staying in the off the beaten path trails, Again, great architecture and history as always, Again, hope you enjoy the post on curiosities of Thouars !!! as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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