Sainte-Néomaye

Churches in Haut Val de Sèvre

From the church (12th century) remains only the large arch going before the choir. There is a bell from 1697 in the bell-tower.

Legends in Haut Val de Sèvre

Sainte-Néomaye
She lived in the 5th century.
She was born in Loudun of noble birth, the Beaussais family.
Wishing to live far from her family, she came to the Sèvre Niortaise and became an ordinary shepherd.
She led every day her sheep to meadow-lands.
She made a spring gush while driving her crook in Fontecreuse.
The Church does honour to her as a Saint on Sainte Néomaye's day on January, 14.
It could not think talking about her that she had a goose foot instead of right foot in "Life of Poitou's Saints"
Those distortions form a part of topics about "monstrosities" in the Middle-Age.

Donkeys of Poitou

Sainte-Néomaye perpetuates every year its Mule Fair since the 18th century.

The Haut Val de Sèvre was high respected for the breeding of poitevin he-mules and she-mules, which were exported worldwide.
She-mules and he-mules of Poitou are the result of fertilization between strong poitevine breeding mule mares and donkeys of Poitou. Fabulous animals able to withstand tiredness, heat, hunger and thirst are therefore very good animals for areas that suffer draughts.
The poitevine mule-breeding mare is one of the most solidly-built and especially strong well-limbed of the equine species. As to the poitevin donkey it is the main element of degree of excellence in the production of mules.
Original, touching and friendly animal, the "bourailloux donkey" with long ears and long hairs is a child's joy.
The enthusiast breeders are perpetuating the tradition in the Deux-Sèvres.