Places of Interest - Moncontour, Vienne

We visited Moncontour last week with our dear friends Di and David. Moncontour is just under a 30 minute drive away. A stunning village and a must see when you come and stay with us.

Moncontour village is a gem hidden amongst a sea of sunflowers and melon fields. An attractive, historical village on the border of the Vienne and Deux Sèvres Departments.

It is said to be the second sunniest area in France. Moncontour offers nature, culture, history and all the activities you could wish for.

Watched over protectively by it’s 11th century donjon (the main tower of a castle), Moncontour has a water sports lake and is surrounded by branches of the River Dive and beautiful forest and riverside walks.

The area is a nature lovers paradise - you can find deer, birds of prey and even a wild boar or two. If you bring a fishing rod, make sure it’s heavy duty and that you have chain mail for your arms – the fish are BIG!

Arrive in spring and the swallows will lead you to your destination. Or you may be lucky enough to spot a heron or two along your route, usually stealing a fish or two from the fishermen.

The grounds of the donjon, the village park and surrounding area play host to a number of events during the summer, including the largest Vide Grenier / Brocante in the region on 1st May each year; Le Dives Buissonieres – music and crafts middle of June each year ; the Fete de la Musique which occurs all over France on June 20th each year;

and the July 14th celebrations when you can watch the fireworks being set off from the donjon – just to name a few.

Plaques around the village of Moncontour describe journeys. Not just journeys of river and forest, but of history – the history of the 11th century donjon, the history of the ancient lavoirs (wash houses found along the rivers edge), and history of the region, of it’s people and of it’s patois (the language). More information on Moncontour can be found on the internet.A bientôt

Peter et Donna