Bressuire Travel Guide

The 18.000 inhabitants of Bressuire are proud of the city, with its long history. Over the past years there has been an overwhealming addition of English residents in the surrounding area, so don't be surprised to run into your neighbour from Leeds LOL.

The dominating Notre-Dame, with its unique Gothic style nave is one of the very few having passed the revolutionary outrages and a MUST SEE.

Go from Saint Jacques' square with its stone balustrade to the south of the town or from Labate's Gate to the north, you can walk through the busy streets of a lovely market town ,as you pass in front of beautiful old mansions. Giving you the atmosphere of prosperity but with a particular attention given to heritage.

The renovation of the castle, west to the town, is remarkable. The town now owns this most monumental castle with its typical medieval military architecture. Thirty-eight towers shouldered the surrounding wall. It encloses a modern mansion very often welcoming exhibitions.

There are famous and numerous schools - 33 -, twenty hectares of sports grounds, some swimming pools and six gymnasiums.

Yet, its history is closely linked to the war with some liberators such as Du Guesclin and De Gaulle .

The local Bus system around Bressuire is pretty reliable and called RDS...

You can explore the surrounding tiny towns and discover that the "Pilgrims Path " of Santiago di Compostella is also going not far off that route... closer to Chiche, where on some farm houses you see the very popular "Shell" as stone symbols over doors.

Make sure you have enough change for the bus as they generally like it if you have the exact fare.

There is a fab little shop called: Petits Points et Dessous - Lingerie

They sell the most fashionable tights and underwear and it's worth a look... .all goods are delicately wrapped and packed up in these traditional lovely boxes and bags ..... WELL worth a visit ;)

What to buy: dessous
tights
stockings
other lovely underwear - tres chique!

What to pay: cheap cheap cheap