Dolmen Saint Laon (38)Dolmen Saint Laon (38)
©Dolmen Saint Laon (38)|Service tourisme

Return to the land of our ancestors

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Neodyssey

Enhancing the megalithic heritage

5,000 years ago, Neolithic man found a cradle for his development in the region. The most striking traces of this period, which saw the birth of agriculture and stone architecture in particular, are the dolmens and other standing stones that essentially mark the presence of burial sites.

The initial project arose from the desire to highlight the megalithic heritage (dolmens in particular) of the Pays Loudunais, a project proposed at the initiative of the Communauté de Communes du Pays Loudunais and the town of Loudun (through its Charbonneau-Lassay museum).
The 2014 European Heritage Days (at Les Trois-Moutiers), working closely with the DRAC Poitou-Charentes Regional Archaeology Department, officially launched the local project. Since then, a census of burial sites (dolmens) and Neolithic dwelling sites(through the particular collections revealed), provides a base material on which the project can be anchored.

These ongoing censuses, complemented by an abundant bibliography, reflect the formidable potential of this little-known heritage hitherto never showcased.

The welcome in 2015 of archaeologists Vincent ARD (CNRS Toulouse) and Emmanuel MENS (Archéo Atlantica) has validated the initial directions and also proposed hitherto unexplored avenues, such as the implementation of a Projet Collectif de Recherches on the theme Megaliths and Habitats in the Neolithic. These programs, run by archaeologists in conjunction with local authorities, aim to coordinate a team of researchers on a joint research project to advance knowledge and then, in line with the expectations of the local authorities involved, to support the choices made to bring these new data to the general public: site enhancement, signage, exhibitions, school visits, modern popularization tools, tourism promotion…

Jewelry workshop - NéodysséeAtelier Bijoux - Néodyssée
©Atelier Bijoux - Néodyssée|Service tourisme
Atelier Dolmen Arcay - NéodysséeAtelier Dolmen Arcay - Néodyssée
©Atelier Dolmen Arcay - Néodyssée|Service Communication
Cooking workshop - NéodysséeCooking workshop - Néodyssée
©Cooking workshop - Néodyssée|Service tourisme

    Protestant history

    but also the Battle of Moncontour and Théophraste Renaudot

    Many private mansions were built in the late XVe century, but it was really in the XVIe and XVIIe centuries that the most prosperous period appeared, due in large part to the many wealthy and well-educated Protestants who would make the town’s fortune.

    The establishment of Protestantism was to cause much unrest in the Pays Loudunais, notably the Wars of Religion with the Battle of Moncontour October 1569). With the Edict of Nantes (1598), Loudun became a place of safety for the Reformed Church. This privilege, abolished in 1629, forced Protestant towns to demolish their fortifications, reflecting the royal desire to control this state within the state. The demand for the Edict of Nantes led to the arrival of numerous dragoons, who pillaged farms and houses.

    Théophraste Renaudot was born into a Protestant family, but converted to Catholicism to benefit from the protection of Cardinal de Richelieu.

    Maison de l'Acadie

    Cradle of Acadian, Quebecois and Louisianan cultures
    La Maison de l'Acadie 2020La Maison de l'Acadie 2020
    ©La Maison de l'Acadie 2020

    Inaugurated on June 29, 1984, at the initiative of René Monory, the museum was founded by the association La Maison de l’Acadie thanks to the involvement of Madame Michèle Touret.

    Today, the museum’s mission is to preserve and pass on to future generations the history of the Acadian people, to enhance the value of the Loudunais territory and to offer a place for reunion and sharing, enabling the links that unite the two territories to be perpetuated.

    Guided tours, events, lectures…

    A place of memory: in the heart of the Pays Loudunais, the Maison de l’Acadie invites you to discover the ties that unite Poitou and the Acadians, Quebecers and Louisianans.

    A place of discovery: take a plunge into the past and relive the history of the families from Loudun who left in the 17th century to populate the territories of New France.

    A place of reunion: every year, hundreds of visitors from all over the world gather in the small village of La Chaussée to reconnect with their roots…. emotions guaranteed!

    A place of research: thanks to its rich library, find a wealth of information on the history, customs, genealogy, literature of the Maritime provinces, Acadia, Quebec, Louisiana…

    What is Acadia? Where is New France located? Why do we speak French in Canada? Who is Isaac de Razilly? What is the Great Removal? Do you have cousins there? What are the links with Poitou?

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