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A breath of fresh air at Moncontour
In Moncontour, which has been awarded the ” green resort” label, everything invites you to slow down. The village has that special gentleness of places where nature, heritage and leisure activities coexist without stepping on each other’s toes. There’s no strict programme to follow, just choose what appeals to you. After that, the day almost takes care of itself. It’s a corner of the Pays Loudunais where you can breathe in the fresh local air.
The keep at Moncontour invites you to take in the view from above
It’s impossible to miss the Moncontour keep, standing there like a benevolent giant watching over the valley. As you climb its steps (slowly, we’re in no hurry), you come across a real piece of history. The walls still tell of the time when the tower was used as an outpost to watch over the access to Loudun. Once you reach the top, the panoramic view is always impressive: fields as far as the eye can see, a patchwork of hedges, the roofs of the village… You soon realise why this was a strategic spot.
Families love this moment. The adults take the time to observe the landscape and put the site in the context of the battles of yesteryear, while the children make the place their own. They scan the horizon, play at spotting the ‘imaginary enemy’, imagine knights patrolling the ramparts and ask a thousand questions about medieval life. It’s simple, but it works every time: the dungeon turns a stroll into a little adventure and offers a real highlight of the visit, without the gimmicks.
Exciting walks
In Moncontour, walking becomes almost a game. The wash-house trail gets the ball rolling. This trail takes you into a gentle loop for your feet. Here, water accompanies conversation and the old wash-houses still stand as a reminder that even in the old days, people liked to work while chatting. This is a perfect day out for families. Children love to rummage around the stones, making up stories and spotting details that no-one else has seen. As for the adults, they can take a breather, enjoy the light and take in the rare pleasure of wandering around with no specific objective in mind.
And because we never stop there, the Sentes Divines take over. A change of scenery, from undergrowth to open fields. There, you’ll be surprised by a bend in the road, a panorama, a refreshing shady passage. At the end of the route, theabbey of Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes appears as an unexpected bonus. It’s a real surprise, sitting there quietly, with its light-coloured stonework and peaceful appearance. The kind of place where everyone goes “wow”!
These walks are discreet, but they leave a mark, a memory. You feel good here, you walk without realising it, and you leave with the feeling that you’ve found a place that simply feels good.
A playground for outdoor activities
Another place, another atmosphere: the Moncontour leisure centre. In this family HQ, everyone lives their best life. Thrill-seekers set the bar high with the water-ski lift: a loop, a handle, a bit of momentum… and off you go, gliding across the water as if you’d been doing it all your life! The children and teenagers then head off to the pumptrack, a bumpy track that turns a simple scooter, BMX or skateboard into a fun machine. We watch them go by, speed up and do it all over again, convinced that they’ve just invented a new Olympic sport.
For those who prefer peace and quiet, head for thepond, equipped with a real fishing course. There’s no need to be an expert here: just cast, wait, chat and listen to the water. Some come back with a catch, others with a story to tell (that’s something). And then there are the observers, those who stay on the bank with a coffee or a book, determined to encourage the sportsmen and women from afar. Spoiler: they’re having a great time too.
The strength of this place is its simplicity. No headaches, no programme to keep. You just turn up, look at what you fancy and improvise. It’s the kind of leisure centre we love: spontaneous, accessible and, above all, full of good vibes.
