Fontenay-le-Comte: the jewel of the Vendée!

Treasures of architecture!

See for yourself. Stand at the intersection of the rues du Pont aux Chèvres and Notre-Dame, then look around you: this junction in Fontenay-le-Comte offers a representative taste of its architectural treasures. On one side, there's the gothic church of Notre-Dame, built in the 15th century. One the other is a priory with its mullioned windows, which could be right out of a Middle Ages film set. Finally, a few metres away is a monumental gate built in the 17th century that features mythological figures.

Discovering a town beloved by François I

The ideal starting point for a stroll through the streets of old Fontenay to discover the charms of what Francis I called "Fontenay and the gushing source of the Beautiful Minds". You will quickly capture the beauty of the Renaissance façades and delight before the arches of the place Belliard, the museum and its three floors of rich collections, the magnificent Château de Terre Neuve, and the amazing Fontaine des 4 Quatre-Tias which surrounds the spring around which the town was developed...

An unique and fun space

The parc Baron is set over 7.5 acres in the middle of the town. As you explore, discover the ruins of the old fortified castle and an incredible playground set out high in the treetops! This is the Parcabout, an acrobatic circuit along which visitors meander via large nets – and no harnesses –, running, bouncing and gliding along. This is a perfect way to finish the trip, before wandering through the neighbouring Venise Verte or getting lost in the huge forêt de Mervent, which offers a whole host of fun activities.