Remarkable villages
The Charente-Maritime has 14 remarkable communes which are united around a common heritage, stone, with admirable buildings and water, by the proximity of a river or the ocean. Three of them are located on the Ile de Ré. Ars-en-Ré and La Flotte are among the most beautiful villages in France and are two ports of call known for their heritage, as evidenced by the church of Saint-Etienne, whose spire has long been used as a sea wall. The island of Aix is famous for its Vauban fortification while on the neighboring island of Oleron, Saint-Trojan-les-Bains is a seaside resort known for the architecture of its houses. Belonging to the Network of Great Sites of France, the stronghold of Brouage is one of the most striking sites, in the heart of the coastal marsh. This old trading port keeps the trace of its past with its typical houses, its monuments and its famous ramparts. Further south, Mornac-sur-Seudre is a medieval village located on the left bank of the Seudre estuary, renowned for its market halls and its flowery alleys. Between the upper and lower town, Mortagne-sur-Gironde is home to the monolithic hermitage of Saint-Martial while a trip to Talmont-sur-Gironde, a medieval bastide, is a must for travelers who will discover the church of Sainte-Radégonde overlooking the Gironde estuary.
Medieval architecture
La Rochelle, capital of the Charente-Maritime, is definitely worth a visit! You just have to go to the city center to admire the numerous monuments that testify to its rich past. A stronghold that has been coveted many times, the maritime city has been at the center of many conflicts, which led it to be fortified. Even today, a simple stroll will allow you to see the traces of these fortifications and first of all the three recently renovated towers. These stone fortresses, facing the Atlantic, are one of the emblems of La Rochelle and show how the city has a nourishing link with the ocean. Among these monuments, the Saint-Nicolas tower is without doubt one of the most symbolic. This massive tower, built in the second half of the 14th century, served as an arsenal and a prison. Today, this building can be visited by winding through narrow staircases to admire the vaulted rooms before reaching the covered way offering a delightful view of the city. Opposite is the Chain Tower, built before its big sister. Smaller, its history is nevertheless known to all with the famous chain that closed the entrance to the port. A few steps away is the last tower, the Lantern. Its name alone is enough to remind us of one of its functions: to guide the sailors. Like the Saint-Nicolas tower, it will play the role of a prison. During a visit, you can see the graffiti engraved by the English, Dutch or Spanish privateers.
Medieval La Rochelle is also a symbolic tower: the Grosse Horloge, an old door built during the creation of the medieval walls in the 12th century. Other monuments with the same function are still visible in the center of La Rochelle.
Other medieval monuments in Charente-Maritime
The department counts many castles, in particular that of Saint-Jean-d'Angle. However, this fortress almost fell into ruins. It took all the determination of Alain Rousselot to bring it back to life. Several years of work, notably crowned by the Europa Nostra prize and that of the Maisons Françaises, have enabled the building, built in the 12th century, to regain all its splendor. Every year, it welcomes history lovers who come to admire the different rooms, the rose garden, the medieval-inspired garden and to participate in the animations.
Further south, the keep of Pons imposes its massive silhouette. It belongs to the old castle which was located on the road to Santiago de Compostela. If the building has been razed, this 33 m high tower is still standing. It is possible for the traveler to reach the walkway after climbing some 130 steps. Catch your breath, the view is idyllic!
The emblematic castles of the Renaissance
A real treasure of Saintonge and classified as a historical monument, the castle of Crazannes deserves a visit. It has welcomed within its walls François I and the Black Prince. One comes to admire an authentic interior and to marvel at the architecture of the castle "du Chat Botté", in reference to the tale by Charles Perrault.
Just a few steps from there stands the most beautiful castle in Saintonge: La Roche-Courbon. It too has the right to its nickname "the castle of Sleeping Beauty" and it owes it to Pierre Loti who saved it from destruction. Built in the 15th century, it has been in the hands of the same family for 3 generations and has a park recognized as a Remarkable Garden.
Engineering structures, locks and Gallo-Roman sites
The Charente-Maritime has many forts built to protect the Rochefort Arsenal. The most famous is undoubtedly Fort Boyard, popularized by a television show. There are also Fort Enet, Fort Louvois and many other buildings built between the islands of Ré and Oléron and on the estuary of the Charente.
This particular link with water is visible with the locks, river locks, for those along the Charente and the Seudre and the locks of Ré and Oléron. Built in the Middle Ages, these fish traps required a lot of work, but their efficiency has been proven many times. Thanks to the tide, fishermen were able to catch fish to feed themselves. If many of them have been destroyed, there are still about ten on the two islands which are now saved.
The Charente-Maritime has important Gallo-Roman sites, particularly in Saintes (Roman amphitheater, arch of Germanicus), but also in Barzan, the site of Fâ (remains of a Gallo-Roman city) and in Aulnay (remains of a Roman military camp).
