Situated in the north of the Deux-Sèvres department, the Thouarsais is ideally located between the Loire Valley and the Atlantic coast. The 24 communes offer a varied landscape of agricultural plains, hedged farmland and vineyards. The GR36 and the Vélo Francette, two major national walking and cycling routes, cross the area and allow visitors to discover our natural, historical, cultural and leisure heritage.
St Jacques de Thouars
The commune is bordered by the Thouet River, which separates it from the town of Thouars on the opposite bank. As early as 1038, Saint-Jacques-de-Thouars became home to two priories: Saint-Nicolas and Saint-Jacques, both under the authority of the Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes Abbey. The latter lay along the historic route to Santiago de Compostela.
Between 1871 and 1873, a viaduct was built by the Gustave Eiffel Company to carry the railway line connecting Tours to Les Sables d’Olonne.
Today, the commune boasts four protected natural areas, including two designated ENS (sensitive natural areas): the Cascade du Pommier, a waterfall located in the Pressoir Valley, and the Coteau des Petits Sablons, a hillside known for its unique biodiversity.
Gallery
