A two-storey tower of the former Château Les Peaux, the Cabane à vigne built from local rubble stone, and the vineyards of the Saumur area give Cersay a distinct focus on architecture and winegrowing history. Local heritage ranges from a gatehouse with a pointed barrel vault to architectural features that date La Garenne to the 14th or 15th century. There is also an easy walking route that starts in Bouillé-Saint-Paul.

Wine Country and Historic Buildings

Cersay lies in the Saumur winegrowing area, on the border with the Bocage of Bressuire and the Thouars plain. Winegrowing itself is also part of the area’s long history: it has been known in Cersay since the Middle Ages. The landscape can therefore be understood both through its vineyards and through the neighbouring landscape regions.

A two-storey square tower survives from the former Château Les Peaux. The entrance, framed by extensive outbuildings, leads through a vaulted gatehouse with a pointed barrel vault and an upper storey. The tower, gatehouse and upper storey are distinct elements of the former château—an interesting perspective for anyone who wants to look beyond the silhouette of historic architecture.

Château Les Blancharderies brings together several architectural periods and styles and was restored in the 19th century. Its rectangular residential wing is flanked by a round tower and adjoins the outbuildings. Most of the château is visible from the public road; the Sentier de la Soire (H16) walking trail also offers a view of it. Visibility from the road may depend on vegetation and access conditions.

At La Garenne, surviving features include water-filled moats, two truncated spur-shaped towers and the base of a square tower. The building also includes a kitchen and a laundry room with carved corbel fireplaces. These architectural features date the construction of La Garenne to the 14th or 15th century, so the dating remains a period rather than an exact year of construction.

A Vineyard Hut and Winegrowing History

The Cabane à vigne is one kilometre northeast of the village centre, on a path in the middle of the vineyards. The square building is made of local rubble stone and has surrounds of dressed tuffeau stone. It formerly served as simple accommodation for grape-picking workers. This structure brings together a specific architectural form and the history of work in the winegrowing industry. If you plan to visit the Cabane, check the path conditions in advance.

The Terre de vignobles route explores the region’s vineyards and wines; vineyard plots also extend into Cersay. The walk is ten kilometres long, rated easy, and estimated to take two hours and 30 minutes. It starts in Bouillé-Saint-Paul. The location of the vineyard plots in Cersay and the route’s starting point are therefore two separate reference points. Check local conditions before setting out on the walk.

Courses and Visits by Appointment

An entry for Atelier d'Acryle accessed in August 2026 lists, among other items, handmade knives, magic wands, sickles and swords; its offerings may change. The workshop regularly holds blacksmithing and knife-making courses for beginners and established knife makers. Visits are by appointment. Arrange your visit in advance and confirm any preferred course dates, as availability may change.

Cersay thus offers several distinct points of interest to help you plan your trip: historic architecture with features from different periods, a winegrowing history stretching back to the Middle Ages, and an easy walk with a clearly stated starting point and duration. You can prioritise these themes according to your interests without treating the buildings, the workshop and the walking route as a single excursion.

Discover more destinations: Vire, Sepvret, Saint-Martin-de-Saint-Maixent, Le Bourdet, Germond-Rouvre, Saint-Maxire, Augé, Le Beugnon.

For the broader travel overview: Deux-Sèvres.