An eventful history –

Clisson's history and that of the Vendée are closely tied together. Once part of Poitou (what is now Vendée) in the 9th century, until 851AD when the Treaty of Angers between Charles the Bald and Erispoë, the King of Brittany, the lands became part of the Marches de Bretagne.

The castle of Clisson exists from the 10th century and today the oldest parts remaining date back to the 13th century. The noble families who resided and reigned the area continuously between 1089 and 1789 are the Clisson family, the houses of Brittany (Montfort branch), Avaugour and Rohan.

The most famous Lord of Clisson was undoubtedly Olivier V de Clisson (1336-1407), Constable of France.

He was the wealthy feudal lord who fought brutally in the Hundred Years war (war between the houses of Valois and Plantagenêt, for the succession of power) earning him the moniker 'the Butcher'.

In 1435, the Duke François II of Brittany was born in the castle and it was his daughter Anne who became the Duchess of Brittany and Queen of France through her marriages to two French kings: Charles VIII and Louis XII. Francois II was the last Duke of Brittany.

The position of Clisson on the confluence of two rivers, the Sèvre-Nantaise and the Moine made the village ideal for trade and industry. Due to hydraulic power produced by the rivers, more than a dozen leather tanneries , a starch factory and several paper mills were established here.

Early in the 18th century the village was plagued by misfortune when a major frost followed by flooding caused hardship. In 1770,  a flood of nearly 8m above normal river level was disastrous and in 1780 followed smallpox and dysentery epidemics.

At the time of the revolution in 1789 the Lords of Clisson were removed from power over the region. In 1793, during the wars of the Vendée and right on the heels of the Battle of Montaigu, Republican General Kléber besieged the castle and the village, setting much of it on fire.

In 1798, two brothers from Nantes who had lived in Italy, were seduced by the quaint location of Clisson. It is thanks to their influence as well as French sculptor François-Frédéric Lemot that the village was rebuilt, inspired by Tuscan architecture, successfully blending its medieval history with neo-classical elements and terracotta rooftops. Lemot also bought the Château de Clisson so that it would be preserved.

Things to do –

Meandering through the charming medieval heart of Clisson dotted with shops and restaurant terraces is certainly a pleasant activity, but with a dozen historic monuments there is certainly no shortage of things to fill at least half a day. Here is a list:

• Château de Clisson Tour map and Opening Hours NOTE: the castle is currently closed due to the pandemic and restoration projects.
• Les Halles de Clisson. 14th century (restored) market halls, an amazing structure where markets have been held for five centuries now.
• Pont de Saint Antoine. Gothic bridge built by Richard d'Étampes in 1430 where the two rivers meet, at the time one of few ways to enter Clisson.
• Pont de la Vallée. 15th century medieval bridge by Francois II (son of Richard d'Étampes) with 6 arches of different dimensions.

• La Porte de la Ville. Medieval city gate, one of three that closed off the village and made it impenetrable.
• Couvent des Cordeliers. Fragment of the facade, a door with 16th-century detail and some arches. Private but viewable from the street.
• Eglise Notre-Dame. 19th century 1887-1888 by architect René Ménard, inspired by Italian basilicas in Rome. Beautiful wooden ceiling and an apse (semi-circle) beyond the altar with lovely murals.
• Moulin a Papier de Limeau. Property of the Lords of Clisson until 1561.
• Domaine de La Garenne-Lemot. François-Frédéric Lemot, one of Napoleon's sculptors, bought a 13-hectare wooded estate and developed a Tuscan-style estate with a neoclassical villa and a gardener's house with dovecote. The estate gardens are dotted with statues, columns, grottoes, and temples. Free admission to the gardens. Tour map Avenue Xavier Rineau, 44190 Getigne  Opening hours
• Viaduct de Clisson. 19th century (1840) bridge of 106.80m long featuring fifteen equal arches with cross vaults

Route Planning and Preparation –

Parts of Clisson may be strenuous for people with mobility issues.
Map courtesy of the Clisson Mairie
Sightseeing brochure in pdf with more historic monuments to see
Parts of Clisson may be strenuous for people with mobility issues.
GPS location Clisson: 47°05′16″N, 1°16′57″W
GPS location Domaine de la Garenne-Lemot: 47° 05′ 06″ N, 1° 16′ 33″ W

Other things to see and do –

• Les Vignobles de Nantes. Vineyards Muscadet-sèvre-et-maine
• Club de Canoe Kayak Clisson.  Canoeing and kayaking on the rivers around Clisson. Address: Chemin de Plessard, 85610 Cugand