The best gravel rides around Thézac

Pirelongue (or Pirelonge), near Saint-Romain-de-Benet (17600), in Charente-Maritime, is a particularly interesting area for its ancient history, notably Gallo-Roman. 1. Ancient origins: the Roman Pirelongue The iconic monument is the Tour de Pirelonge. It dates back to the Gallo-Roman era, probably from the 2nd or 3rd century. It measures approximately 24 to 25 meters in height. Its base is square, about 6 meters on each side. It is likely a funerary pile, that is to say, a monument erected in memory of an important person. It was located near an ancient Roman road connecting Saintes (Mediolanum Santonum) to Barzan (Novioregum). Excavations have revealed the existence of an enclosure around the tower. The tower has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1840, making it a protected monument since the beginnings of national heritage protection. 2. The name of Pirelongue The name is sometimes written Pirelonge or Pirelongue. A possible explanation is its connection with ancient words designating a long stone or an upright stone. However, this etymological hypothesis must be distinguished from an origin demonstrated by ancient documents. The first known written description of the tower is attributed to the engineer and cartographer Claude Masse, in 1715. 3. Pirelongue and its agricultural history The hamlet is also associated with a long winemaking tradition. Notably, one can find the Domaine et Distillerie Brillouet there. The estate is known for its activity as a winemaker and distiller, in the land of Cognac and Pineau des Charentes. The old houses and rural buildings of the hamlet constitute another important part of its heritage. 4. The hamlet of Chez Pureau: an exceptional rural heritage The Local Urban Plan of Saint-Romain-de-Benet describes Chez Pureau as a set of five old farms, transformed into an ecomuseum of the life and rural traditions of Saintonge. Notably, one could find there: -The distillation of Cognac and Pineau. -The manufacture of perfumes and essential oils. -The cultivation of lavender and lavandin. -A printing activity. -Old agricultural buildings. -The municipal document also confirms the existence of three wine cellars, a distillery, a museum of stills, and an old sawmill.

Pirelongue (or Pirelonge), near Saint-Romain-de-Benet (17600), in Charente-Maritime, is a particularly interesting area for its ancient history, notably Gallo-Roman. 1. Ancient origins: The Roman Pirelongue The iconic monument is the Tour de Pirelonge. It dates back to the Gallo-Roman era, probably from the 2nd or 3rd century. It measures approximately 24 to 25 meters in height. Its base is square, about 6 meters on each side. It is likely a funerary pile, that is to say, a monument raised to the memory of an important person. It was located near an ancient Roman road connecting Saintes (Mediolanum Santonum) to Barzan (Novioregum). Excavations have revealed the existence of an enclosure around the tower. The tower has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1840, making it a protected monument since the beginnings of national heritage protection. 2. The name Pirelongue The name is sometimes written Pirelonge or Pirelongue. A possible explanation is its connection to ancient words designating a long stone or a standing stone. However, this etymological hypothesis must be distinguished from an origin proven by ancient documents. The first known written description of the tower is attributed to the engineer and cartographer Claude Masse, in 1715. 3. Pirelongue and its agricultural history The hamlet is also associated with a long winemaking tradition. Notably, one can find the Domaine et Distillerie Brillouet. The estate is known for its activity as a winegrower and distiller, in the land of Cognac and Pineau des Charentes. The old houses and rural buildings of the hamlet constitute another important part of its heritage. 4. The hamlet of Chez Pureau: an exceptional rural heritage The local urban plan of Saint-Romain-de-Benet describes Chez Pureau as a complex of five old farms, transformed into an ecomuseum of the life and rural traditions of Saintonge. One could find there in particular: -The distillation of Cognac and Pineau. -The manufacture of perfumes and essential oils. -The cultivation of lavender and lavandin. -A printing activity. -Old agricultural buildings. -The municipal document also confirms the existence of three wine cellars, a distillery, a museum of stills, and an old sawmill. 5. The major historical periods -Neolithic: Human occupation in the commune -Roman era: Saintes-Barzan road and Pirelongue tower -Middle Ages: Development of the village and its lands -17th-18th centuries: Old rural constructions of Chez Pureau -19th century: Agricultural, viticultural, and artisanal development -20th century: Agricultural modernization and development -Today: Wine estate, distillery, and tourist heritage

It can always come in handy ...... for those who don't have a hand pump or a battery-powered inflator!!!

A place out of time, magnificent!

🏛️ Construction: 18-19 AD The arch was built around 18-19 AD, during the reign of Emperor Tiberius. It stood at the entrance to the Roman bridge crossing the Charente, at the outlet of the Via Agrippa, which connected Lyon to Saintes. It is therefore not truly a "triumphal arch": it was both a road monument and a monumental gate marking the entrance to Mediolanum Santonum, the capital of Roman Aquitaine. 👤 Who had it built? The arch was financed by Caius Julius Rufus, a Romanized notable from Saintonge. He dedicated it to Tiberius as well as his nephew Germanicus. The inscriptions engraved on the entablature still allow us today to know the figures to whom it was dedicated. The name "Arch of Germanicus" therefore comes from this dedication, and not from the fact that Germanicus personally had the arch built or crossed it. 🏗️ A rather exceptional monument The arch has two bays, likely allowing for the differentiation of traffic flows. It measures approximately 15 m high by 16 m wide. Its Corinthian and composite capitals bear witness to particularly meticulous Roman architecture. It constituted a true demonstration of the power and Romanization of Saintes. ⚠️ The moment the arch almost disappeared This is probably the most interesting episode in its history. For centuries, the arch was always located at the level of the Roman bridge and then the medieval bridge, on the right bank of the Charente. In the 19th century, the old bridge had become dilapidated. When it was decided to demolish it, around 1843, the arch was also threatened with destruction. It was then that Prosper Mérimée, Inspector General of Historical Monuments, intervened. He advocated for its preservation and arranged for its dismantling, relocation, and reassembly on the new bank. Another figure is also associated with this preservation: Victor Hugo, who stayed in Saintes in September 1843 and intervened in favor of the monument's conservation with Mérimée. 📍 Why is the arch no longer exactly in its ancient location? The arch we see today, on Place Bassompierre, is therefore no longer in its original location. It was moved a few dozen meters during the transformation of the quays and the disappearance of the old bridge. It was dismantled stone by stone and then reassembled in order to preserve it. It is now located in the immediate vicinity of the ancient Roman bridge crossing. 🏛️ Protection The Arch of Germanicus was finally classified as a historical monument in July 1905. An interesting detail The Crazannes quarries, located near Saintes, supplied a limestone widely used in the region's ancient constructions. Crazannes stone was notably used for monuments such as the Arch of Germanicus. In summary: 18-19 → construction of the arch at the entrance to the Roman bridge ↓ Antiquity → Middle Ages → the arch remains associated with the crossing of the Charente ↓ 1843 → demolition of the old bridge and threat to the arch ↓ 1843-1844 → Mérimée's intervention and relocation of the arch ↓ 1905 → classified as a Historical Monument

The port of Ribérou is a major heritage site in Saujon, bearing witness to a prosperous maritime past linked to the salt and wine trade. Transformed in the 19th century by ambitious works, it has now been reinvented as a place for living, relaxation, and preserving local history. 🛶 Origins and the Middle Ages The port of Ribérou takes its name from the Latin word ripa ("riverbank") or the Occitan word ribèira ("river"). It is located at the head of the Seudre estuary. It existed as early as the 11th century and became an important river and sea port thanks to its strategic position at the head of the estuary, used particularly for the salt trade—then called "white gold"—a highly sought-after product for preserving food. 🚢 Medieval Period and International Trade With the opening of British markets during the reigns of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II Plantagenet, ships laden with wool, salt, wine, and other goods flocked to Ribérou. In the 16th century, the port exported local wines (such as cognac and pineau) throughout Europe. In 1577, during the Wars of Religion, the port was a strategic site: troops were stationed there, and battles took place. 🏗️ Decline, Reconstruction, and the 19th Century The estuary gradually silted up, making navigation difficult. By 1691, only smaller vessels could dock there. During the French Revolution, the sale of the tidal mill, which helped remove sediment, worsened the silting, leading to the port's decline. A modernization project began in 1822, but it wasn't until 1839 that an ambitious program was launched under the impetus of Jules Dufaure—a native of Saujon and Minister of Public Works—with the construction of sturdy quays, slipways, a lock bridge (marking the boundary between fresh and salt water), and reception facilities. In 1842, the work was completed, and the main quay was named Quai Dufaure in honor of this political support. 📉 Gradual Decline and Modernization The arrival of the railway in 1876 and the persistent problems of silting led to a decline in the port's traditional commercial activity, already facing competition from other transport networks. In the 20th century, the port gradually lost its economic importance but remained active for traditional fishing and became a place for pleasure boating, leisure, and local culture. Urban and tourism development projects (particularly in 2011–2012) modernized the port while preserving its historical charm. 🌊 Today The port of Ribérou is now a small fishing and pleasure port, much appreciated for its walks along the Seudre River, water sports (canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, etc.), and seasonal events.

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