Airvault

Airvault
Airvault
Location within Poitou-Charentes region  Airvault
Administration
Country	France
Region	Poitou-Charentes
Department	Deux-Sèvres
Arrondissement	Parthenay
Canton	Airvault
Intercommunality	Airvaudais
Mayor	Jacky Prinçay (2008–2014)
Statistics
Elevation	67–140 m (220–460 ft)
Land area1	49.28 km2 (19.03 sq mi)
Population2	3,226  (2006)
- Density	65 /km2 (170 /sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	79005/ 79600
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Fortified gate

Airvault is a commune in the Deux-Sèvres department in the Poitou-Charentes region in western France. It is located on the River Thouet.

The inhabitants of Airvault are the Airvaudais and the Airvaudaises.

Historical sites

The subterranean fountain

A Romanesque bridge over the Thouet leads into the town. The Saint Pierre church in the center of town was built circa 975 AD by Aldéarde, the wife of viscount Herbert I of Thouars. Rebuilt in the 11th and 12th centuries, the church was used as a stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. An underground fountain is located under the square in front of the church. One block from the church is the abbey which houses a museum of traditional arts and crafts. In the vicinity of the church, timber-framed houses border narrow medieval streets. The Castle of Airvault overlooks the church.

Trivia

François-Marie Arouet might have chosen his pen name, Voltaire, by inverting the syllables of the word “Airvault.” Although this is largely unsubstantiated, one of Voltaire’s parents allegedly owned property in the area.

Airvault hosts a yearly didgeridoo festival. Didgeridoo festival website

See also

• Communes of the Deux-Sèvres department

References

• INSEE