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Montmorillon, France

Self Catering Montmorillon Holiday Homes, Cottages and Gites to Rent 

Montmorillon is found in the Vienne department of the Poitou-Charentes region in western France. A stay in a Montmorillon Holiday Home is a must for lovers of books! For Montmorillon’s old town is also known as La Cité de l'écrit et des métiers du livre - it is here in the heart of the picturesque Brouard quarter of Montmorillon, also known as the Village of the Written Word - is the place for book lovers; with a large choice of book shops and book artisans: book-binders, laminators, calligraphers, stationers.

When you visit Montmorillion be prepared to be entranced by the town's rich architectural heritage. La Maison-Dieu, a hospital-monastery founded in the 11th century, houses the Saint-Laurent Chapel (12th C), the Octagon, a mysterious funeral chapel (12th C) is modelled on  the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, a tower of the 14th century is all that remains of the defences of the hospital. The Musée de la Tour, and Le Chauffoir where pilgrims came or refuge and warmth, the Grage des Dimes and the magnificent buildings of the 17th C are all listed buildings.

In the centre of town is Notre-Dame Church (11th, 12th & 14th C) which has a superb "Deploration" which is a listed monument as is the church itself, and as is also the fresco in the crypt showing the crowning of Saint Catherine of Alexandria.

Don't miss the Almond and Macaroon Museum in the town centre when you rent a holiday home in Montmorillon either! Interestingly, the clay mineral montmorillonite was named after Montmorillon after its discovery there in 1847.

When you stay in self catering accommodation in Montmorillon, there is lots to see and do in the area. Don’t forget the cultural attractions on offer at nearby Poitiers. There is the impressive Futuroscope attraction too. Chauvigny, 30km north of Montmorillon, is a fascinating town, the oldest section built on cliffs high above the River Vienne. It also has a fine Saturday morning market.

To get to your Montmorillon Holiday Gite: Poitiers is the nearest principal railway station, on the TGV Atlantique line between Paris and Bordeaux. The direct TGV puts Poitiers 1h40 from Paris' Gare Montparnasse. Poitiers - Biard Airport is located 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi) west of Poitiers with Ryan air flights to London-Stansted and Birmingham. The A10 motorway goes through the Poitou Charentes region and enables access to many towns including Chatellerault, Poitiers, Niort and Saintes.

The Poitou-Charentes region is renowned for having one of the most pleasant climates in France. Winters are really mild and thanks to the oceanic climate, summers are hot but not muggy.  Poitou-Charentes benefits from 2,400 sunshine hours a year and is the hottest and sunniest place of the whole Atlantic coast.