Remarkable villages
The Charente-Maritime region boasts 14 remarkable communes that share a common heritage: stone, with its admirable buildings, and water, with its proximity to a river or the ocean. Three of them are located on the Ile de Ré. Ars-en-Ré and La Flotte are among France's most beautiful villages, and are two ports of call renowned for their heritage, as evidenced by the church of Saint-Etienne, whose spire was long used as a sea wall. The island of Aix is renowned for its Vauban fortifications, while on the neighboring island of Oléron, Saint-Trojan-les-Bains is a seaside resort known for the architecture of its houses. Part of the Réseau des grands sites de France, the stronghold of Brouage is one of the most striking sites in the heart of the coastal marshlands. This former trading port bears witness to its past, with typical houses, monuments and famous ramparts. Further south, Mornac-sur-Seudre is a medieval village on the left bank of the Seudre estuary, renowned for its halles and flower-filled alleyways. Between upper and lower town, Mortagne-sur-Gironde is home to the monolithic hermitage of Saint-Martial, while a trip to the medieval bastide town of Talmont-sur-Gironde is a must for those wishing to discover the church of Sainte-Radégonde, which overlooks the Gironde estuary.
Medieval architecture
La Rochelle, capital of the Charente-Maritime region, is definitely worth a visit! Just take a stroll through the city center and you'll see the many monuments that bear witness to its rich past. As a much-coveted stronghold, the maritime city has been at the center of many conflicts, which led it to be fortified. Even today, a leisurely stroll will reveal traces of these fortifications, starting with the three recently renovated towers. These stone fortresses, facing the Atlantic, are one of La Rochelle's emblems, and show just how close the city is to the ocean. Among these monuments, the Tour Saint-Nicolas is undoubtedly one of the most symbolic. Built in the second half of the 14th century, this massive tower served as an arsenal and prison. Today, the building can be visited by winding your way through narrow staircases to admire the vaulted rooms, before reaching the covered walkway offering a ravishing view of the city. Opposite is the Tour de la Chaîne, built before its big sister. Although smaller, its history is well known, with the famous chain that closed the entrance to the port. A few steps away is the last tower, the Lanterne. Its name alone recalls one of its functions: guiding sailors. Like the Saint-Nicolas tower, it was also used as a prison. During a visit, you can see the graffiti engraved by English, Dutch and Spanish privateers.
Medieval La Rochelle also boasts a symbolic tower: the Grosse Horloge, an ancient gate built when the medieval city walls were created in the 12th century. Other monuments with the same function can still be seen 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).
