Intuitive Painting and Movement
A creative workshop combining intuitive artistic expression with physical movement.
Plizio Visual Lab
Thouars
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
ℹ️Practical info — Thouars
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The best view of the medieval fortifications is from the Saint-Jean bridge over the Thouet river.
- The Château of the Dukes of La Trémoille is now a school; you can mostly admire it from the outside.
- The walk between the lower riverbank and the upper town is steep, so wear comfortable shoes.
- Visit the Friday morning market at Place Saint-Médard for a great local atmosphere.
🍽 Food
🍽
Tourteau fromager
A regional goat cheese sponge cake with a black crust; try it at a local bakery.
🍽
Fouées
Small oven-baked breads often stuffed with rillettes; look for traditional bistros.
🍽
Goat cheese (Sainte-Maure)
Buy this cheese fresh from local producers at the Friday market.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Place Saint-Médard Market
Every Friday morning, you will find excellent regional products and cheese specialties here.
🛍
Local wines
Look for wines from the Thouarsais region and nearby Anjou at the wine merchants in the upper town.
🧘
Banks of the Thouet
Well-suited for a quiet stroll or a bike ride along the water.
🧘
Parc Imbert
A lovely park with a relaxing atmosphere and sweeping views over the valley.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
10
Choral Meetings: Women's Choirs
An evening dedicated to the diversity and beauty of female voices.
Women's Choral Meeting: Sibylla
The Tyndo Conservatory hosts the Sibylla choir from Poitiers for an evening of sacred music by Rheinberger and world melodies.
Choral Meetings: Children's Choir
The children's choirs from Tyndo and Poitiers invite you on a musical journey through the famous Fables of La Fontaine.
Dance Gala: On the Road
A dynamic dance performance celebrating the theme of travel and discovery.
Music Festival and Rougail in Louzy
Enjoy a sausage Rougail at O’Bar à Thym with concerts, DJ Bizzy Thouré, and an open stage for local artists. Reservation required.
Visit to the Roy la Gouraudière Quarry
Go behind the scenes of a local company and meet professionals sharing the passion for their craft.
Gourmet Museum: Picnic Visit
Special evening at the museum: exhibition on Thouarsais landscapes, shared picnic, and Cuban music with Jany Quiñones Valdès.
IMPROBABLES Exhibition
9 artists present their unique works at Bains-Douches in the spirit of a cabinet of curiosities: textile art, painting, and sculpture.
Tracking Otters and Beavers on the Thouet
Discover the Thouet valley by canoe and search for signs of otters and beavers. For ages 6 and up, swimming skills required.
Thouars is a captivating historic town located in the Deux-Sèvres department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, strategically positioned on a high rocky plateau encircled by a loop of the Thouet River. This natural defensive site has seen human occupation since the Gallic period, evolving into a major medieval stronghold. The town's architecture is dominated by the massive Château des Ducs de La Trémoille, a 17th-century masterpiece that reflects the prestige of its former owners. Thouars holds the 'Ville d'Art et d'Histoire' label, preserving a wealth of heritage including the 12th-century Abbey of Saint-Laon and various medieval gates like the Tour du Prince de Galles. Historically, it served as a vital railway junction in the 1800s, fueling local industry. Today, the economy relies on a mix of administrative services, specialized manufacturing, and agriculture, particularly the production of Anjou wines. The town is also a gateway to the Thouet Valley nature park, offering a blend of cultural depth and outdoor recreational opportunities in one of Western France's most scenic regions.
- Location: Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
- Top sights: Notre-Dame Collegiate Church · Henri-Barré Museum · Pont Neuf
- Nearby: Loudun (23 km)
- Population: ~14.000
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 4 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 13 | 8 | 5 |
| Rain mm | 70 | 53 | 62 | 51 | 67 | 57 | 50 | 49 | 42 | 75 | 74 | 76 |
Geography
Facts
- The Château of Thouars features a facade over 110 meters long.
- The original medieval ramparts spanned approximately 4 kilometers.
- Thouars sits at an average elevation of 90 meters above sea level.
- Saint-Laon Church holds the remains of Margaret of Scotland.
- The traditional Thouars fair has been held for over 100 years.
- The Thouet Valley is designated as a Natura 2000 ecological site.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Thouars (5)
Frequently asked questions
What is the main landmark of Thouars?
The Castle of the Dukes of La Trémoille, a monumental 17th-century building overlooking the Thouet river.
Why is Thouars called a 'City of Art and History'?
Due to its rich heritage, including medieval fortifications, old half-timbered houses, and the Romanesque St-Laon church.
When is the best day to visit?
Friday is convenient to experience the lively weekly market, one of the largest in the region.
Are there museums in Thouars?
Yes, the Henri Barré Museum in a former private mansion displays art, archaeology, and local history.
Can you walk along the Thouet river?
Yes, there are beautiful riverside paths for hikers and cyclists, especially along the 'Thouet à vélo' route.
Thouars: where is it located?
Thouars is located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.
Thouars: what is there to see?
Highlights include Notre-Dame Collegiate Church, Henri-Barré Museum, Pont Neuf.
Thouars: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Thouars: why is it worth visiting?
Thouars is a captivating historic town located in the Deux-Sèvres department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, strategically positioned on a high rocky plateau encircled by a loop of the Thouet River.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in France →
Nearby cities
Bordeaux
Bordeaux, located on the banks of the Garonne, is the world capital of wine.
Limoges-sur-Vienne
This urban area is part of the Limoges metropolitan region.
Limoges
Limoges is known worldwide for its porcelain and combines craftsmanship, history, and a peaceful setting on the Vienne River.
Poitiers
Poitiers is a historic city with Romanesque churches and a long role as an educational and administrative center.
La Rochelle
La Rochelle is an elegant Atlantic city with an old harbor, towers, and a long maritime trading history.
Pessac
Pessac is a dynamic city in the Bordeaux metropolitan area, renowned for its prestigious wine estates and modern architectural heritage.
Niort
Niort is the gateway to the Marais Poitevin and also an important administrative and insurance center.
Brive-la-Gaillarde
Brive-la-Gaillarde is a lively market town in Corrèze with strong local cuisine and a well-known bazaar.
Angoulême
Angoulême overlooks the Charente and is known as France's comic-book capital and for its city walls.
Bordeaux-Sud
The southern area of Bordeaux includes both residential areas and modern scientific institutions.
Talence
A key university and sports hub in the Bordeaux metropolitan area, world-renowned for the Decastar athletics meeting.
Châtellerault
Châtellerault is a historic industrial city on the Vienne River, famous for its iconic Henri IV bridge and its deep roots in the cutlery …
Périgueux
Périgueux is the capital of Périgord and combines Roman traces with a pretty old town and markets.
Villenave-d'Ornon
A lush southern suburb of Bordeaux, famous for its world-class wineries in the Pessac-Léognan appellation.
Saint-Médard-en-Jalles
Saint-Médard-en-Jalles is a major city near Bordeaux, renowned as a hub for the European aerospace and defense industry.