history and heritage

History and Heritage

At the junction of three rivers, the Clain, the Palais and the Vonne, Vivonne is situated near the original mediaeval ruins (XII, XIV & XVIth centuries ) of the feudal lords traced back to Hughes de Vivonne ( XIth century ). The elder branch of his family became extinct with Jean de Vivonne, father of Catherine, the renowned Marchioness of Rambouillet ( 1588-1669 ). She greatly influenced scholars in the XVIIth century.

Ramble

One doesn’t get the feel, the spirit of Vivonne in one day! One must take a leisure walk through its ancient streets, the alleys so Vivonne can reveal its secrets, its history. Even more, a leisure boat ride along the tranquil Clain, Vonne, Palais or Clouere rivers! How about a bike ride, discover fountains and springs. Fountain Marot at the foot of the Fontrable hill, those of Croix Blanche, de Cercigny, de la Rochette and surroundings, that of Baptresse, Marigny, Marcay, Marnay and many more. How about risking one of the many paths, under shady and cool canopies, they most likely will lead you to say a village all asleep under its red rounded roof tiles, say another rivulets where poplars seem to spring from or again say...an old mill, grottoes even an prehistoric monolith,a dolmen as we say in French.

Our church is built on the spot where, according to the legend, St George’s horse landed after a prodigious jump all the way from the Fontrable hills. It further tells us that it jumped with such force that its hoof for ever left a mark on the road where it had sprung from!

Across from the church, the rue du Chateau leads to the mediaeval heart of the borough. Houses are on each sides of quaint narrow streets and alleys. First on the right is rue des Bancs. Here were the mediaeval butcheries, one the original ten trades of Vivonne then.

Now go up rue Michel Lambert with the Palais river on the right and the ruins of the castle on the left. Here is the old village of Sais, at the end of a steep path. South in front of you is the panoramic Vonne valley. There is the old church, Our Lady of Sais-les-Vivonne, seat of a small parish, until 1789 a baronetcy.

Come back towards the borough by the road along the left bank of the Palais river. This will lead to Place du Cadran at the end of the picturesque rue de la Brique.(a sundial gave the square its name). It is where the old regime had its quarters. Down rue de la Brique to return to Vivonne centre, our commercial area. Near Place du Marche is a nice Gothic gate. Grand’rue extends beyond the cross road via rue Marcel Bourumeau also called les Ponts de la Levée)....On the right facing the mill, enjoy the view, the Vonne basin, further, the Pont des Carmes built in the XVIII century as a replacement for the previous one destroyed by the 1746 floods.

Beyond still, the many arms of both the Vonne and Clain rivers intermingle. On the right, see the green meadows and parks of a mansion now council property, it was part of the parish of St Michel: Vounant. The name likely comes from Vonne, then locally baptised Voune, a derivation.

Now under the railway bridge and immediately left, about 200 meters is the Marot spring. It is always a favourite for tourists and locals alike.

Footbridge of the plage, (the fresh water beach!), near the Clain and Palais junction is the Avenue Henri Petonnet. Follow it to the head of the church that so often inspired our locals artists.

Towards the City Hall now via rue de la Mairie, the most bustling area last century. The Mairie (City Hall) is today in a wing of what once was the Abbey des Carmes instituted in the XVth century, razed by the Protestants in 1562, re-built in 1620 by Jeanne de Saulx, widow of Rene de Rochechouart. It is the resting place of most Rochechouart family members, some Carmes clergymen and other beings of a lesser rank.

At the 1789 revolution only two monks were left there. They fled after the revolutionaries auctioned their possessions. The convent was sold as National property in 1792. It later housed the local police and in 1881, the local public school.

Saint-George's Church

Previous priorate St George. This monument though re-built in the XII, XV and XIXth century still, at first seems heterogeneous could it perhaps be her bourgeois bell tower!. Still, it is one of the truest gothic church in Poitou. It is Angevin style as its five sided apsidal arches prove.

Why St George ?
Legend has it that the Saint was journeying towards Vivonne. At Fontrable, his horse jumped over and beyond the Clain valley and landed at the very site where the church now is.
The building
On the very site of a older building, the actual church was totally re-built towards the end of the XIIth century. The nave and main door date from the first half of the XIIth century. The facade was renovated in 1971/72. The imposing bell tower better seen from the square is from the XIVth century. The renovation of the roof is very recent, 1995 in fact. The two vaults are from the XVth, the renovation was brought about by the end of the Hundred year war.
The revolution.
The bells
Baptised in 1767 and 1770, they were brought down in January 1794 and, like many others melted down for cannon production. The present ones are from 1870 and are called .Elisabeth-Jeanne, Alexandrine and Louise.
The big wooden cross
In all likelihood, it dates from the 1719 mission. To save it from the revolutionaries in 1796, parishioners put it where it still is today, under the bell tower. The heart shaped icons decorating it were given by local families on the occasion of that mission.
The main altar
In golden wood, it was made for the Abbey of Carmes, (now City Hall) in 1783. It was brought to St George’s in 1793 and restored in 1995.
In the left transept
A recess of the late XIVth century (funeral niche)
Both side of this recess, remnants of the local seigniorial coats of arms painted between 1758-1778 may be seen.
Stone statue of the Virgin and Child, XVIIth.
In the chancel
Above the sacristy door, a painting to the memory of Dame Morisseau who died in 1614. Magnificently restored in 1988. The chancel wood panelling is from 1807
In the right transept
A painting of St George from the XVIIth.

At the back
A stone holy-water basin with the inscribed date of 1752.
Ravaillac.
Before leaving the church, a few word on this peculiar visitor. During his trial, he claimed he had a vision whilst visiting St George’s church in Vivonne, the first Thursday after Easter in 1610. Without further ado, he went to the local inn, took a knife and sped to Paris with the intent of killing King Henry the IVth which he indeed did.

Jorigny ManorJorigny ManorJorigny ManorJorigny Manor

XVII th, near the actual borough, south.
This castle was built under the reign of Henry the IVth, in true style of the time

Cercigny Castle and its Chapel

(3K' s south of Vivonne, built in the XIVth, re-built in the XVIIth and restored in the XIXth. (visit of the outside, only by appointment, please phone 05 49,43,41,04).

La Planche Castle

(4 K's north-east of Vivonne by D4 road), XVth

Jean Calvin, the XVIth century reformist first priest in Poitou.During the French Revolution La Planche was a bastion for insubordinated priest who refused to abandon christianism.

Sais Church

In ruin, it is presently beeing restaured

Vounant Park

A number of fairs, particulary the International Festival of Music and Exhibition are held in the park below the green canopy of its many trees. Numerous activities are also held in the local hall.