Nouaille-Maupertuis travel guide

Photo of Nouaille-Maupertuis

Visit Nouaille-Maupertuis (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France)

Photo Gallery Book a visit

Nouaille-Maupertuis is a picturesque if rather sleepy little town situated in quiet countryside a little to the south-east of Poitiers in the Vienne department.

Explore Nouaille-Maupertuis

The main reason people visit Nouaille-Maupertuis is to see the impressive Abbey of Saint-Junien that dominates the centre of the town, although you can also explore the village with its stone bridge and medieval garden...

Medieval building, part of the Abbey of Saint-Junien in Nouaille-Maupertuis

Abbey Saint-Junien

The abbey is a roman style building constructed in the 12th century, and named after Saint-Junien whose remains were brought here in 830. It was originally a benedictine abbey but later became independent. The abbey was fortified during the time of the Hundred Years War at which time it was surrounded by a high wall with defensive towers: you can still see a substantial part of these fortifications in the village.

A good part of the original abbey buildings can still be seen, including the church and accommodation, the moats and parts of the ramparts including two towers and two original doorways. Note that some parts of the building (including the chevet) were reconstructed in the 17th century after being damaged during the wars of religion.

Some of the other monastic buildings can also be seen around a central courtyard, although the buildings themselevs are not open to the public, while the town mairie is now housed in the attractive Logis Abbatail above an arch over the road.

 
Advertisement
 

Other buildings and monuments

Next to the abbey in Nouaille-Maupertuis a small medieval garden has been planted in an attempt to recreate the types of plants that were once grown by the monks, both for food and for medicinal purposes.

The small stone bridge that you can see across the river replaced an earlier drawbridge, that from the 17th century allowed access through the fortifications.

Historians will also want to visit the site of the famous Battle of Nouaille fought in 1356 during the Hundred Years War in which the French were heavily defeated by the English, with many killed and and the French King Jean le Bon and his son were captured (they were subsequently released after the French paid a high ransom).

The battle also gave its name to the village - the English army won because they lured the French into an area of scrub, hedges and ditches that suited the English archers but not the French soldiers. The word for the rough terrain, or 'bad route' chosen was a 'maupertuis'. A memorial now marks the site of the battle.

Medieval garden in Nouaille-Maupertuis

Attractions nearby

Of course you will also want to visit the important town of Poitiers during a visit to the region, and your children will certainly enjoy a visit to the popular theme park at Futuroscope: both are within easy reach of Nouaille-Maupertuis.

Enthusiasts of historic monuments will want to visit the church and castles at Chauvigny, about 20 kilometres north of here, as well as the impressive roman style church at Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe.

You can find more travel ideas in the Vienne guide and the Poitou-Charentes guide.

See also: 

Photos of Nouaille-Maupertuis

Click any picture to start the gallery

  • nouaille-maupertuis-1
  • nouaille-maupertuis-2
  • nouaille-maupertuis-3
  • nouaille-maupertuis-4
  • nouaille-maupertuis-5
  • nouaille-maupertuis-6

Arrange a visit to Nouaille-Maupertuis

Organise your visit using the options shown...

Hotels in Nouaille-Maupertuis

Booking.com: best prices

Where

For great prices on car hire throughout France and Corsica please visit our recommended partner at RentalCars.com

Map of Nouaille-Maupertuis and places nearby

 
Advertisement
 

Visit near Nouaille-Maupertuis with France This Way reviews

Poitiers

Poitiers

Poitiers is a nice town with lots of interesting sites, including the 12th century cathedral

Poitiers guide
Futuroscope

Futuroscope

Futuroscope is one of the most popular attractions in France!

Futuroscope guide
Chauvigny

Chauvigny

We especially enjoyed exploring the castles along the hilltop when visiting Chauvigny

Chauvigny guide
Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe

Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe

The highlight here is of course the Abbey of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, certainly the best example of roman style architecture anywhere in Poitou-Charentes

Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe guide
Chatellerault

Chatellerault

The quiet regional town of Chatellerault has some notable 18th century townhouses

Chatellerault guide
Montmorillon

Montmorillon

Although it is quite a small town, there is a lot to discover in the pretty town of Montmorillon - and bookshops!

Montmorillon guide

... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Vienne

Address: Nouaillé-Maupertuis, Villedieu-du-Clain, Poitiers, Poitou-Charentes, 86340, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 46.5094, longitude 0.415

Plan your visit to Nouaille-Maupertuis, Vienne

Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby

  • Abbaye de Nouaillé-Mauperthuis (Nouaille-Maupertuis): religious monument
  • Laverré: remarkable garden (9 km)
  • Poitiers église Saint-Hilaire le Grand (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (10 km)
  • Poitiers: town of art and history (10 km)
  • Eglise de Saint Maurice (Saint-Maurice-la-Clouere): religious monument (15 km)
  • Vivonne: village d'etape (15 km)
  • Touffou: remarkable garden (18 km)
  • Futuroscope: theme park (18 km)
  • Chauvigny: recommended detour (19 km)
  • Eglise de Saint Pierre (Chauvigny): religious monument (19 km)
  • Eglise de Saint Gervais et Saint Protais (Civaux): religious monument (20 km)
  • Eglise de Notre-Dame (Lusignan): religious monument (24 km)

The French version of this page is at Nouaille-Maupertuis (Francais)

 
Advertisement