The best road cycling routes around Martigné-Briand

The contemporary art center of national interest, La Chapelle Jeanne d’Arc de Thouars, is today a leading venue for contemporary art in the western region. Along with the Château d’Oiron and the Syndicat Mixte de la Vallée du Thouet, which runs a program of public commissions for contemporary works, the art center's work is carried out in partnership across the entire territory of the Pays Thouarsais community of communes and, more broadly, in the northern part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Within the region, the art center is a recognized player in the Astre plastic and visual arts network. Developing an artistic project that takes into account its geographical location and its architectural envelope, a neo-Gothic chapel, the art center maintains a privileged relationship with the heritage of Thouars. Guest artists, hosted for residencies or exhibitions, appropriate the chapel space by creating an original work designed for the venue. They also bring their perspective to the city, urban planning, landscape, and rural areas of the Thouars region and the Thouet Valley. Since 1993, nearly a hundred artists have been invited for residencies or exhibition projects. In recent years, the art center has paid particular attention to emerging artists from art schools, particularly those from the regional Le Grand Huit network. In addition to its programming, the art center also engages in outreach activities in the form of off-site exhibitions, workshops, and events (meetings, lectures, and workshops). A mobile device, La Mar(g)elle, was created in 2015 by the artist Marie-Ange Guilleminot to offer interventions in partner locations, particularly within schools and structures in the social and medical sectors. For its educational action, the art center benefits from the action of the municipal art school of Thouars, to which it is connected within the visual arts department of the City of Thouars.

Very pretty setting on the edge of the town's lake. Too bad it's impossible to go around it by bike.

Old fortified castle originally built in the 11th century by Count Foulques Nerra who was one of the founders of Anjou; he fortified the entire rich province through 27 castles and forts including this one, marking the southern line of its defense. Today listed as a Historic Monument, the building underwent several alterations in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries before being burned during the French Revolution. Purchased and renovated at the beginning of the 19th century, Château de Passavant became an important wine estate recognized among the Côteaux du Layon. The road passes under the access bridge to the castle.

Between the banks of the Loire and wooded hillsides, Gennes is a charming, typically Loire town. Its many shops invite you to take a break when its rich history invites discovery. Between its menhirs, its Gallo-Roman remains and its churches, your curiosity quenches its thirst!

(taken from Trip Advisor although I would agree with everything in the following description) Thouars is one of those pretty French towns that few people have ever heard of... It has many beautiful old houses and streets, a wonderful chateau, a lovely river, the best market in the area (Friday mornings) - but only French tourists seem to visit. Thouars is just off the tourist track - and that is part of its charm. Visitors do come into town during the summer months from more popular areas for the renowned Friday Market but otherwise the place is almost a tourist-free zone. However, it is a really good place to use as a base. Situated between the larger towns of Saumur and Poitiers, Thouars is a perfect setting-off point for visiting the Loire Valley, the Limousin, The Poitou Maritime region and the Vendee, the roads are comparatively quiet, parking is plentiful (and free) and you get a sense that you are seeing the real France. Very few people speak English but are very friendly and welcoming.

Magnificent view of the Loire and the Pont de Gennes. Ideal for a picnic break.