By visiting our Pays des Achards, you won't find a big cathedral, no world famous castle. No Historic Monument with a capital M and H. "Only" of Small Heritage. And yet… It is indeed this “little” heritage that will reveal to you the soul of our territory!
Every cut stone, every rubble laid tells the story of our ancestors' lives, their hard work, their religious fervor, their daily lives, distant yet so close to our own. Here are some keys to deciphering these witnesses of the past.
The small heritage tells the big story.
The religious heritage
The churches
Many churches were damaged or destroyed during the Wars of Religion and the French Revolution. Churches that have retained their original buildings are rare. However, we advise you to visit some of them:
- The church of Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche : historiated capitals from the 14e century represent some of the 7 deadly sins.
- In the church of La Chapelle-Achard, the choir of 11e century is vaulted in the bottom of an oven in a regular apparatus of cut stones.
- The church of La Chapelle-Hermier : built in 12e century, it still has Romanesque characteristics today.
- Rebuilt at 19e century in a neo-Gothic style, the church of Nieul-le-Dolent has preserved beautiful carved tombstones, where inscriptions and coats of arms mingle.
- The choir and the square bell tower of the church of Saint-Georges-de-Pointindoux date from 12e century and the barrel-vaulted nave from the 17e century. On the sculpture side, imaginary heads rub shoulders with capitals representing 4 deadly sins: anger, laziness, jealousy and gluttony.
Chapels
Several small chapels complete this religious heritage:
- Garreau's Chapel à La Chapelle-Hermier is the most frequented pilgrimage center in the lower maritime Vendée. Louis XIII is said to have come here after his victory over the Protestants at Riez.
- The Chapel of Moulières à Saint-Georges-de-Pointindoux is of ancient origin. However, it had to be rebuilt several times.
The Hosannier crosses
These are funerary monuments specific to the West of France. The faithful sang the hosanna on Palm Sunday.
- The hosanne cross of the Achards (La Chapelle district) is the most important in the canton with its base of 4 steps.
- A hosanna cross from 1607 dominates the current cemetery of GirouardMade of granite and raised on a base of tombstones, it comes from the old cemetery which was located to the right of the church.
To these crosses are added numerous calvaries and mission crosses, near churches or along roads, and which testify to the importance of the Catholic faith of our ancestors.
Traditional housing
In Vendée, we call " village » a hamlet and the « borough » is the place which gathers the church and the town hall. The whole of the town and the villages forms what is called the “commune”.
Our traditional habitat is largely a rural habitat. Small villages often group together rural houses which sometimes have one floor. One often finds there longères, long houses of the small peasants who gathered modest habitat and shelter for the animals.
The wide central portal of the barn allowed the passage of carts. Hay, straw and agricultural equipment were stored there.
We discover some bourgeois houses in the towns of our communes, such as Achards (La Mothe district) Or the Sainte-Flaive-des-Loups. These dwellings, which appeared in the 19the century, then belonged to people of high social status. They were characterized by the presence of a floor, a symmetrical facade with large aligned openings, four-sided roofs, with large chimneys and so-called "noble" materials, such as slate or tufa. Some of these bourgeois houses are now private properties.
Many small castles are visible from the road. However, they cannot visit each other. the Chateau Gaillard, an emblematic monument of the Girouard, is actually a presbytery from the 19e century.
Small buildings linked to daily and agricultural life
The little everyday building is probably the most touching. Well, fountains et sources recall the importance of water points. Numerous laundries have regained their former beauty thanks to careful restorations. The communal bread oven and the dovecote du Girouard form a particularly original ensemble. Even if the wings are missing today, the Chiron Mill at Chapelle-Hermier and that of the place called “Les Trois Moulins” at Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche look great.
Most of our hiking trails take you to meet these small constructions present throughout the territory. For a summary of small heritage over a few kilometres, choose the Washhouse Trail in Les Achards, the educational trail Le P'tit Val Gaillard at the Girouard or the Birdhouse Trail in Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche.
For a discovery of historical heritage of the Achards (La Mothe district) in fashion " treasure hunt ", choose instead the Adventure Lab course “If La Mothe was told to me”.
Enjoy your visit to Pickles (La Mothe district) to discover the architecture of halls who welcome our weekly market. Combining iron, cast iron and glass, this small Baltard-style pavilion built in 1924 has replaced the old wooden halls. Look up, then you will see the old coat of arms of the municipality perched on the gable. It represents a silver lion, a symbol of hope and purity, on an azure background indicating justice.
Want to know more about the history of La Mothe-Achard?
This summer, follow the guide! The Tourist Office organizes guided tours of the La Mothe-Achard district during the summer. Our guided tours take you through the village's narrow streets, discovering iconic sites and the stories that shape the region's identity. A unique way to take a fresh look at everyday heritage.
Heritage Days
This is the perfect opportunity to visit our little gems! Thanks to the commitment of municipalities and volunteers, you can discover from the inside and in detail churches, chapels, mills and buildings that once housed shops or schools.
Check out our program!
