At the crossroads of the departmental roads in Sèvremoine, Anjou, stands the Colonne de Torfou: a sentinel of history and a testament to heroism. The grey granite cylinder rises to over 8 metres, and bears witness to one of the most spectacular episodes of the Vendée Wars.
Clash of the giants: 19 September 1793
Imagine the setting: we are in the middle of the revolutionary period. On one side, the "Mayençais", elite Republican troops battle-hardened by the siege of Mainz and commanded by the future General of the Empire, Kléber. On the other, the Catholic and Royal Army, led by the legendary Vendée chiefs: Charette, Bonchamps, d'Elbée and Lescure.
It was here that a battle of such ferocity was fought that Kléber himself later wrote: "Never has there been a more terrible battle! The rebels fought like tigers, and my soldiers like lions!
The "Chemin des Femmes" anecdote
The history of this monument is inextricably linked with a legend (or a historical fact, depending on the source) that stirs the hearts of the locals: the role played by the women of Torfou and Tiffauges.
As the Vendée fighters, terrified by the might of the Mayençais, began to retreat, they came up against an unexpected wall. Their own wives and mothers had massed outside the village, blocking the way with pitchforks and stones. They reprimanded them, ordering them to return to the front to defend their land rather than flee cowardly. Galvanised by the women's courage, the men turned back and claimed victory. Today, a hiking trail called the "Chemin des Femmes" ("Women's Trail") allows you to follow in their footsteps.
A princess on top of the rocks
Erected in 1826 on the initiative of the Marquis de La Bretesche, the column has welcomed many prestigious visitors. In 1828, the Duchess of Berry, on an official visit to the Vendée, stopped off nearby. The story goes that the energetic young princess nimbly climbed the rocky outcrops overlooking the Sèvre valley to get a better view of the landscape and the ruins of Tiffauges castle. These rocks were named "Rochers Caroline" in her honour.
The monument today
- Listed as a Historic Monument since 2012, the column remains an essential landmark.
- Dimensions: An 8.65 m-high granite cylinder on a massive plinth.
- Symbolism: It celebrates not just a military victory, but also the resilience of an area and its people.
