Montmorillon

Montmorillon, in the Vienne department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, is known as the “City of Writing and Book Crafts”, a designation that has encouraged secondhand booksellers, bookbinders and calligraphers to settle in its historic centre. The town stretches along the Gartempe river, well suited to gentle walks and water-based activities. The old quarter retains notable medieval heritage, including the Maison-Dieu, a former pilgrims' hospital on the Way of St James, and the Octagon, a Romanesque funerary chapel with an unusual layout. The Romanesque Notre-Dame church reflects Montmorillon's past importance as a stop on pilgrimage routes. Local gastronomy is marked by the Montmorillon macaroon, a sweet speciality recognised well beyond the region. Steep lanes, bridges over the Gartempe and old façades make for pleasant strolling. The surrounding countryside, rural and gently hilly, offers opportunities for hiking and exploring Poitou's Romanesque heritage, all within the calm, unhurried atmosphere typical of southern Vienne.