Located on the west coast of France, the departement of Deux-Sevres is a quiet region off the beaten track for most tourists. However the region has much to recommend it to visitors to this part of France, especially those who enjoy some peace and quiet, unspoilt countryside and lots of local character.
Niort, the main town of the region, in the south of Deux-Sevres, is a picturesque medieval town, full of winding streets, half-timbered houses and historic churches. Inside the walled city is the 12th century fortress which can still be visited today and houses one archaeological museum and another dedicated to the local leather industry. One unusual building, Le Pilori, now houses temporary exhibitions but was originally built on the site of the town's pillory as the town hall. An interactive museum detailing a dark episode in the town's history when the population was decimated by the plague in the 17th century is housed in the Logis de l'Hercule.
Located just to the west of Niort are the Poitou marshes, the largest area of marshland on this stretch of coastline. Parts of the marsh have been drained over the centuries to create agricultural land, but some parts remain “wet marshes”. In the summer months, you can take boat trips on the marshes, which are also called the “green marshes” because of their distinctive colour, caused by the growth of plants like duckweed. You can even take out your own barque or punt if you feel brave enough to have a go at manoeuvring the marshes yourself! There are plenty of walking paths around the area too for those who prefer to remain on dry land.
Two of the most distinctive, and most visited, historic buildings in the region are the Celles-sur-Belle Royal Abbey and Oiron chateau. The oldest part of the Celles-sur-Belle abbey was built in the 12th century, before the partly-ruined building was rebuilt in the 17th century, leading to an intriguing mix of architectural styles. The abbey is open all year, with guided tours between April and October, with pleasant grounds for a stroll afterwards. The Oiron chateau, built in the Renaissaince style, was built in the 16th century and as well as being home to one of King Louis XIV's mistresses, it is also the rumoured inspiration for the fairy tale Puss in Boots! The castle lay empty for many years until the French government took possession of the building in the 1930s. Oiron is now dedicated to modern art, with temporary exhibitions and even one permanent installation, created in 1993.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Deux-Sevres? Then below is a selection of gites in Deux-Sevres and villas in Deux-Sevres that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
