Saint-Martin-de-Saint-MaixentLand of legends

St-Martin-de-St-Maixent

With just over 1000 souls, Saint-Martin-de-Saint-Maixent is very close to Saint-Maixent-l’École. Bathed by the Sèvre Niortaise and the Rochetan stream, the town takes its name from Saint Martin, a monk and pilgrim from Tours who, during one of his visits, pointed his stick and made a spring gush out, rue Chaigneau. Should we read in this legend the origin of the many traces of the “domestication” of water by man? Maybe. Washhouses, mills, bridges and fountains are present in large numbers on the municipal territory and are worth a detour. Discover them!

Getting there

Le Pont de Pallu

The Pont de Pallu, on the Roman road, spans the Sèvre Niortaise river, making the junction between the municipalities of Saint-Martin-de-Saint-Maixent and Nanteuil. This 50-meter footbridge, made of flat limestone slabs, was once a place of passage in the direction of many mills. The mules left in the direction of La Rochelle loaded with grain and returned loaded with salt.

If you’re looking for a waterside picnic spot, the setting around the bridge is ideal.

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Charchenay bread oven

One Sunday morning a month, the Saint-Martin Loisirs association brings this heritage from another time to life. Rehabilitated by the municipality a few years ago, it is made available to all the inhabitants of the municipality. On heating days, it is possible to cook bread, brioches, cakes, but also all kinds of cooked dishes.

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The Vallon leisure area

In a large landscaped park of around 3 hectares, this leisure area is equipped with several facilities. For a stopover under the sign of sport, this is the ideal base for the whole family: a city stadium, a marked sports course with around ten obstacles, a playground for the youngest, a field petanque, and a picnic table.

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Hiking trails in the footsteps of the Resistance fighters

Through an educational path to meet the local fauna and flora or in the footsteps of Edmond PROUST, a resistant refugee in the house of the Bidolière, you can explore this pretty city to discover its secrets:

The hollow paths: This educational path leads you to discover the local fauna and flora, through panels illustrated by the children of the Emile NASLIN school.

The hike “In the footsteps of Edmond Proust”: Edmond Proust, or Colonel Chaumette, was appointed leader of the united resistance in Deux-Sèvres. On February 18, 1944, he narrowly escaped arrest, and hid in the Bidolière house. He stays all day in the upper part of the house and only comes out at night, under cover of darkness. His prudence is such that even the farmers of the house never notice his presence! Walking in his footsteps is a unique experience!