Although there is evidence of human habitation here 5,000 years ago, it is only in the seventh century that the town appears in the historical record.

In the 760s, Thouars found itself in Aquitaine, the most robust fortress in the entire region according to contemporary chroniclers.

This was a violent decade as Duke Waïfre, struggling to preserve the independence of Aquitaine, fought against the expansionist ambitions of the French King, Pepin the Short.

Aimery IV of Thouars was a companion of William the Conqueror as a commander in the Battle of Hastings.

[4] Thouars was the birthplace of the medieval general Louis de La Trémoille, created duke by Charles IX in 1563.