Pouzauges - Petite Cité de Caractère

Discover Pouzauges and its history on a stroll through the narrow streets.

Built on a rocky promontory, the town developed into a series of fortified terraces at the foot of its castle. From this period, it still retains its winding streets and iconic monuments: the castle and the Church of Saint-Jacques in the town centre. As the hub of a rural area, Pouzauges enjoyed a new heyday at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. It was the first town in western France to be electrified, and its bustling livestock markets made it famous. The typical plots of the hedgerow landscape and the hamlets that make up Pouzauges’ immediate surroundings bear witness to this close relationship between the market town and the countryside. Today, the town centre is home to narrow, flower-lined alleyways known as ‘venelles’, typical stone, brick and tiled façades, restful green spaces, and works of contemporary art. Mosaics, placed at the entrance and exit of each ‘venelle’, highlight these pedestrianised lanes, whose names reflect the town’s history and unique character. Pouzauges thus offers an ideal setting for relaxation, exploring its heritage and culture, and enjoying a special connection with nature.
Outside the village centre, you can also visit the Church of Notre-Dame du Vieux-Pouzauges and its 12th-century murals, as well as the twin windmills at Terrier-Marteau, which have retained their original working mechanisms and still produce flour today.

A mystery trail is also available, offering a different way to explore the town all year round. The kit is on sale at the tourist office (€20).

Guided tours of the town are available in season. Tours depart from the tourist office. Booking is recommended; see availability below.