LE VILLAGE DE BUZON ET SON CALVAIRE

A marsh full of charm In all simplicity, this small village of character reveals its authenticity. Surrounded by small stone houses and an old calvary, you can relax on the banks of the “Vieille Blanche” river. The movement of the reeds, the small boats parked on the banks and the birds flying over this marshy landscape in complete tranquillity give it a definite “maraîchin” charm! Take a seat on a picnic table in the shade of the tall trees and immerse yourself in this unspoilt landscape. A little history In the 12th century, the land at Buzon belonged to the monks of Buzay Abbey, which was undergoing a period of rapid economic expansion. The monks had succeeded in developing the slopes of the Blanche into a working estate. Surrounded by a large network of small waterways, the port of Buzon was the ideal starting point for transporting goods to the surrounding towns and villages. In the past, Buzon was used as a “barn” (granary). It was not a building as we know it today, but rather an agricultural area rich in cereals. The construction of the Canal de Buzay in the 18th century and then the Basse Loire maritime canal in the 1880s led to the end of the use of the port of Buzon, and its gradual decline. The village of Buzon is ellipsoidal in shape. It gradually developed alongside the Tenu and its tributary, the Vieille Blanche. It comprises around twenty houses and their outbuildings. It once had a mill. Not far from there, the Buzon bridge links Rouans to Cheix-en-Retz. The calvary at Buzon This monument goes back a long way. Some believe it was built by the monks of Buzay Abbey. Other sources mention it as the site of a macabre remembrance during the French Revolution. It mentions “four hundred old men, women and children” who were massacred in February 1794 not far from this calvary, during the Vendée wars in the neighbouring village. Other sources mention “thirty-four” people. It was first restored under the First Empire and then a second time in 1975. The little extras: The village of Buzon is located on the “Le Grand Chemin” hiking trail (best done on foot, the loop is around 21km long). You can discover the history of this small village in the company of the Groupe Historique de Rouans, particularly during the European Heritage Days on the third weekend in September.