Chauvigny
A medieval hilltop town above the Vienne River, with five castle ruins, a raptor flying show and carved Romanesque church capitals as its highlights.
Chauvigny lies about 25 km east of Poitiers. Its upper town is built on a rocky outcrop above the Vienne River. Within a few hundred metres you will find five medieval castle ruins, including the Bishop's Castle and the Harcourt Castle, as well as the Church of Saint-Pierre, whose capitals are carved with monsters and biblical scenes. In summer, the Géants du Ciel raptor flying show takes place among the ruins of the Bishop's Castle, with birds of prey swooping just over visitors' heads. The old town is best explored on foot. Tickets for the raptor show cost about 15 euros, and it runs from April to November.
Opening hours
Old town open all day; raptor displays about April–November
Nearby sights
- La Planète des Crocodiles
- Merovingian Necropolis of Civaux
- Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe
- Nouaillé-Maupertuis Abbey
- Angles-sur-l'Anglin
- La Roche-Posay
- Hypogée des Dunes
- Église Sainte-Radegonde