Saivres: Heritage, Routes and Sailing

When looking for a hotel in Saivres, it is worth first deciding what you want to focus on during your stay: architectural history, routes through the Chambon Valley or sailing at Plan d’eau de la Touche Poupard. These themes offer different points of interest—from Église Saint-Pierre and Château de l’Herbaudière to routes and activities on the water. Which ones you consider depends on whether culture, landscape or sailing activities are especially important for your trip.

Routes and landscapes in the Chambon Valley

The “La Carrière de Donia” walking route starts and ends on the Magnou side, in front of the tennis court. Visitors to La Carrière de Donia can discover the quarry faces and industrial facilities. The second route, the “Boucle de la vallée du Chambon et de la carrière de Donia,” can be enjoyed on horseback, on foot and by VTC; it offers a way to explore the bocage landscapes in the Chambon Valley. The difference is clear when choosing a route: the La Carrière de Donia walking route has a fixed starting and ending point, while the Boucle is defined by its three ways of getting around and the landscape of the Chambon Valley.

La Sapurienne also combines trail running and hiking in one event. It was held in January; in 2025, it took place on January 26. If an event will shape your stay, check the dates for the relevant edition.

History of the church and château

Église Saint-Pierre was built in the 13th century. Its most recent reconstruction took place from 1874 to 1878; the stained-glass windows date from 1879 and were created by Pierre-Eugène Guérithault, a glass artist from Poitiers. This sequence of dates separates the medieval construction from the 19th-century reconstruction and the work on the windows a year later.

At Château de l’Herbaudière, the historical focal point is the new residential building from 1599. Monumental fireplaces have been preserved inside; today, the château is listed as a historic monument. The two buildings therefore differ in their described features: for the church, the focus is on the sequence of several construction phases; for the château, it is on the date of the residential building, a preserved interior feature and its current listed status.

Sailing at Plan d’eau de la Touche Poupard

Plan d’eau de la Touche Poupard is located within the territories of Saivres, Éxireuil, Saint-Georges de Noisné and Clavé. An introduction to sailing is offered at the lake using Optimist dinghies, catamarans and Hansa boats. The Cercle de voile de la Touche Poupard offers family sailing with your own equipment or equipment available on site; this includes catamarans, canoes and Optimist dinghies. The options overlap for Optimist dinghies and catamarans; Hansa boats are part of the introduction, while canoes are part of family sailing. Check the current conditions for the relevant activity before taking part.

Discover more destinations: La Forêt-Sur-Sèvre, Messé, Villiers-En-Bois, Souvigné, Marigny, Usseau, Fors, Ménigoute.

For the wider travel overview: Deux-Sèvres.