Berrie: Fortress, Wine Cellars and Historic Architecture

The Forteresse de Berrye, the Manoir de Savoie and the Le Sentier entre Dive et Troglos circular hiking trail each offer a different perspective on Berrie. You can focus on tuff-stone cellars and wine, medieval architectural forms, or a 12 km walking loop. To help you decide, it is useful to distinguish between a visit and a route: the Forteresse can only be visited by prior reservation, while the trail passes by it.

Fortress, Cellars and Wine

A visit to the Forteresse de Berrye includes a tour of its cellars carved into the tuff stone and a tasting of wines from the fortress or winery. If you are interested in both the cellars and wine, this visit brings together two specific highlights.

The fortress is open year-round exclusively by prior reservation. Check the visit and booking conditions before your trip. Year-round refers here to the period when visits are possible; advance reservation is still required.

Medieval Architecture and the Manoir de Savoie

The Forteresse is a medieval monument that was not remodeled during the Renaissance. Its features include a keep and chapel, defensive walls, towers with dungeons, and dry moats. The site therefore offers several specific architectural points of interest: soaring towers and walls stand alongside the chapel and moats. These different elements help you look beyond a single part of the building and take in the fortress as a whole.

Another type of building in Berrie is the Manoir de Savoie, a manor house dating from the 12th century. It was listed as a French historic monument by decree on February 2, 1931. Unlike the Forteresse, this is a manor house rather than a fortified complex. The contrasting architectural forms and the precise date of the Manoir offer two different starting points for exploring the history of the area's architecture.

Hiking the Le Sentier entre Dive et Troglos

The Le Sentier entre Dive et Troglos is a 12 km circular hiking trail. It starts in Pouançay and passes by the Forteresse de Berrye. This makes it possible to consider the fortress as a landmark along a hiking route, without confusing the trail with a visit to the fortress.

Plan the route and access to the fortress separately: a prior reservation is still required to visit. If your main interest is hiking, the stated circular route provides a clear indication of the distance. If you also want to visit the cellars and take part in a wine tasting, check the applicable booking conditions as well.

More Historical Highlights

The Musée du Prieuré Saint-Jean explores the history of Anjou wines and recreates life at the abbey in the 11th century. Two historical themes come together here: Anjou's wine tradition and life at an abbey. Check the visiting arrangements before your visit.

During a one-time special opening in 2013, the architecture and function of the Maison de la Trinité in Grand Savoye were presented in their historical context. The guided presentation took place outside. This exceptional event offers a historical insight into the building; it is not a regular visitor attraction.

Discover more destinations: Lésigny, Vivonne, Dienné, Thurageau, Saint-Savin, La Puye, Lathus-Saint-Rémy, Nieuil-L'espoir

For the broader travel overview: Vienne.