| La Boissière-en-Gâtine | |
| Commune Status: | Commune |
| Arrondissement: | Parthenay |
| Canton: | La Gâtine |
| Insee: | 79040 |
| Postal Code: | 79310 |
| Mayor: | Thierry Deligné[1] |
| Term: | 2020 - 2026 |
| Coordinates: | 46.5569°N -0.3683°W |
| Elevation M: | 180 |
| Elevation Min M: | 118 |
| Elevation Max M: | 218 |
| Area Km2: | 10.98 |
La Boissière-en-Gâtine is a commune in the Deux-Sèvres department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in western France.
There used to be a commandery of the Knights Templar, which later passed to the Hospitallers, hence the name L'Hôpiteau de la Boissière-en-Gâtine.Maison du Temple de La Boissière-en-Gâtine
La Boissiére-en-Gatine is in the canton of Maziéres enGatine but in fact geographically speaking it is nearer toAllonne.
St Martin's church, which was restored in the 18thcentury, is a Romanesque building. The door dates fromthe 11th century. The bell tower was built in the 17thcentury. The church has been on the list of historicalmonuments since 1929.
During the revolution, Louis-Hercule Terrasson, the localpriest, swore allegiance to the Constitution. He wasattacked by the Vendéens who did not accept hisrepublican opinions. He defended himself and managed tofight them off. Later he abandoned his parish and fled toChampdeniers. However, he regretted having resignedand took up his functions again. He was still priest in LaBoissiére in 1798.
La Boissiére is the home of the Maison Noble (mansionhouse) of Puy Robin and there was, at one time, acommandery which later belonged to the charitable orderof Jerusalem.
Situated between Puymonnier and la Roche-Marot thisplace was, according to local legends, the meeting placefor little elves called “Farfadet” During an evening party ashepherdess crushed the Farfadet's big toe with herspindle because he was getting on her nerves.The Fadets are wild and very hairy. They like rocky places where they live in community. Apart from their hairiness, you can recognize the Fadets by their thick unbleached woolen panties. There are Madames Fadets, the Fadettes, they are just as grumpy as their gruff husbands but still prettier. Their number has steadily decreased over the centuries. Nowadays, they are few and very difficult to observe.
| 2001 | 2008 | Gérard Boutin |
| 2008 | 2018 (stepped down)[2] | Yannick Pacreau |
| 2018 | incumbent | Thierry Deligné |
The village has an economic activity based on agriculture, especially livestock. The main employer in the commune is the company Boye Accouvage, which employs about a hundred people.
The Church of Saint-Martin is classified as an historical monument from the 12th century.
A small Hamlet of La Boissiere en Gatine and although in a rural setting, it is not isolated as it is close to the Towns of Secondigny and medieval town of Partaney in the Deux-Sèvres, Nouvelle-Aquitaine. With its many small hamlets such as the lovely Puy Robin set in the beautiful Gatine hill.