Niort

Description: Niort is a pleasant regional town in the Vendee with plenty of interest on the edge of the Marais Poitévin regional park.

Location: 60km south west of Poitiers, just off the A10 autoroute.

General Info: There is a large square with parking in the centre of the town.

Our recommendations: Go there in the evening in the main summer season when the main buildings are all floodlit .  On Thursday evenings there is free entertainment in the streets and in some public buildings.  On the third Thursday of each month there is a large market in la Place de la Brèche.

For the children: Worth a visit is the Donjon, a medieval castle.  From the top of the towers you have a great view over the town.  An excursion to Coulon is worthwhile to hire a punt to meander through the waterways of the Marais Poitévin.

Nearby Fontenay-le-Comte is also worth a visit.  The town centre has a lovely atmosphere with an impressive Château.  Market day is Saturday.  The nearby Fôret de Mervant has a lot of attractions including walking/cycling trails, water sports, a small zoo and a child friendly theme park (Parc de Pierre Brune).

Here’s more information to make the most of your visit to the Vendée

Attractions:

Puy du Fou

Atlantic Toboggan

Indian Forest

Le Chateau des Aventuriers

Oceanile

Beaches

La Rochelle

Niort