Nature
The Pinail National Nature Reserve is located in Vouneuil-sur-Vienne and covers 142 hectares. The heathland of Pinail is dotted with almost 6,000 pits, around 3,000 of which are now permanent ponds. Pinail protects a human-shaped mosaic of heathland, dry and wet meadows, and marshes.
Pinail is home to nationally protected plants and wildlife associated with wetlands and heathlands, including 13 amphibian species and 37 breeding bird species. GEREPI and CPIE Seuil du Poitou offer nature education activities, tours, and tailor-made training there.
Those who have chosen Vouneuil-sur-Vienne as their travel destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment.
Culture
Le Voyage de l'Albergé is a guided tour through 13 different locations in Vouneuil-sur-Vienne. The Church of Saint-Étienne is open to the public; the current church building was constructed in 1867 outside the old town centre.
The Moulin de Chitré is a 15th-century water mill on the banks of the Vienne. During a visit, visitors can discover the Sagebien waterwheel, the machinery, the ice house, and a museum tour about water and Pinail. Groups can visit the Moulin de Chitré year-round by prior reservation.
The bridge over the Vienne was inaugurated in 1880 and has five equally sized semicircular arches.
The Échiquier de Moussais-la-Bataille in Vouneuil-sur-Vienne presents the events of the Battle of Poitiers in 732 with a large chessboard on which visitors move from square to square. It also features information panels in English and Arabic about the two opposing leaders and the medieval civilisations they represented.
Geographical Location
Vouneuil-sur-Vienne is located on the D 749 departmental road between Châtellerault and Chauvigny. The Château de Chitré is a Renaissance estate whose silhouette is visible from this road. It is privately owned and cannot be visited.
Events
The weekly market takes place on Thursday mornings at Place de la Libération. The Banquet des laboureurs de Montgamé has existed for more than 100 years and takes place on the last Saturday in February. The Fête des abricots includes a flea market and an organised walk on the third Sunday in July.
Other destinations: La Roche-Posay, Aubière, Pressac, Saint-Germain, Dissay, Saint-Benoît, Le Vigeant, Saint-Gervais-les-Trois-Clochers
