a town of France, capital of a cognominal arrondissement in the department of Vienne, situate on an elevation between the Dive, Creuse, and Martiel, 32 miles N.W. of Poitiers. Its streets are well laid out, and a beautiful promenade now occupies the site of an old fortress, destroyed in the beginning of the seventeenth century by order of Cardinal Richelieu. Some cloth, linens, and common lace are manufactured here; and a brisk trade in oil, white wine, and walnuts is carried on. This town was one of the first in France to embrace the reformed religion, and soon became a stronghold of the Protestant party. In 1634 it was the scene of the disgraceful execution of Grandiere, curate of Loudun, who was burnt at the stake by command of Richelieu. Pop. (1851) 4457.