Discover La Peyratte

La Peyratte lies east of the Pays de Gâtine, in a bocage landscape of wet valleys, hills and hedgerows. The commune thus combines a distinctive landscape with a long architectural history. If you are looking for a hotel in La Peyratte, you can choose what to focus on during your stay: Romanesque buildings, walking trails or special places to visit.

Notre-Dame Church and the Croix Hosannière

Notre-Dame de La Peyratte Church was built in the early 12th century under the auspices of Sainte Croix de Talmont Abbey. Its stone nave has a single aisle and a pointed barrel vault; it ends in a square Romanesque bell tower and a flat-ended choir. The church was listed as a historic monument in 1913. A single-aisle nave is a church interior without side aisles; a barrel vault spans it lengthwise, with a pointed profile here. This allows you to consider not only the period in which the church was built, but also its specific interior layout and architectural features.

The Croix Hosannière also dates from the 12th century, is 12 metres high and was listed as a historic monument in 1890. Historically, processions went to the foot of the cross on Palm Sunday, Corpus Christi and 15 August. Both the church and the Croix date from the 12th century, but they were listed at different times: the Croix in 1890 and the church in 1913.

Insights into local history

Local history also includes an industrial chapter. In 1645, a chaussée was built on the Thouet, leading to the establishment of La Forge à Fer. The date directly links construction of the chaussée to the creation of the forge. Alongside the religious buildings, this offers another historical focus in La Peyratte.

Bocage, walking trails and special places to visit

If you would like to focus more on the landscape, you can follow the Peyrandos: the four walking routes pass through La Peyratte and its surrounding countryside. Wet valleys, hills and hedgerows define the bocage landscape along these trails. This makes walking a distinct focus from exploring the historic buildings.

At La Balade des Autruches, you can observe ostriches at one of the département’s two breeding sites. This destination offers a different focus from the walking trails or historic buildings: here, the emphasis is on observing the animals. Check the visiting arrangements in advance.

Carrière du Pont and Belvédère des Roches

At Carrière du Pont, you can choose between a guided tour of the quarry and a viewpoint with panoramic views. Guided tours are led by a conference guide and a company technician and take you inside the quarry. Belvédère des Roches offers panoramic views over Carrière du Pont and is freely accessible year-round. Check access to the viewpoint shortly before your visit; for the guided tours, it is worth checking the latest dates.

Roads and getting around

The roads serving the area are also distinct: Departmental Road 165 runs through the centre of La Peyratte, while National Road 149 provides access to the commune from the south. These details can help you find your way when travelling to the area. When planning a stay, you can match the road connections to your own sightseeing plans.

Discover more destinations: Bouin, Moncoutant, Cherveux, Périgné, Faye-L'abbesse, Châtillon-Sur-Thouet, Sainte-Gemme, Parthenay

For the broader travel overview: Deux-Sèvres.