The best traffic-free bike rides around Chaillevette

The Saint-Laurent church has a remarkable feature: its medieval Romanesque bell tower survived the destruction, while the church was rebuilt around it. 1. The origins: 1047 The first known mention of the church dates back to 1047. In a charter, Geoffroy Martel, Count of Anjou, ceded the churches of Saint-Laurent du Gua and Saint-Martin de Sanzillac (an old name associated with Saint-Martin du Gua) to the Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes, along with their parishes, lands, and revenues. This donation testifies to the religious importance of the territory as early as the 11th century. 2. The Romanesque church and its fortified bell tower The original church was a Romanesque building, of which the bell tower is today the main remnant. During the Hundred Years' War, the bell tower was adapted for defensive purposes. One can notably distinguish: -Two levels of Romanesque arcades and bays. -A wall walk for surveillance. -A fortified upper part. -A timber spire covered with slate, added at the beginning of the 16th century. This bell tower is particularly interesting because it combines Romanesque religious architecture with military adaptations. 3. The Wars of Religion and the destruction In the 16th century, the church suffered severe damage during the Wars of Religion. A fire destroyed a large part of the building. The bell tower itself was partially razed, then transformed into a fortified tower. The large Romanesque church thus almost entirely disappeared. 4. The reconstruction around 1800 Around 1800, the old church was considered too dilapidated and dangerous. It was decided to build a new sanctuary while preserving the medieval bell tower. An important architectural feature: the new church was built with a different orientation than the old one. The current facade presents a neoclassical style, with: -Pilasters. -A triangular pediment. -A monumental entrance reminiscent of a triumphal arch. 5. Treasures to discover inside Several elements deserve special attention. -The stained glass windows They date from the 19th and 20th centuries. Some represent episodes from the life and martyrdom of Saint Laurent, the patron saint of the church, as well as Saint Thérèse. -The high altar It comes from the old church of Dercie, a village that today belongs to the commune of Le Gua. -The maritime ex-voto It is a particularly interesting piece: a model of a three-masted ship, dating from the 19th century. It measures: 65 cm in height; 75 cm in length. Its hull is carved from a single block of wood. It represents a three-master with twelve gun ports depicted in black paint. 6. Classification as a Historic Monument -The bell tower is classified as a Historic Monument, but be careful: this classification concerns the bell tower and not the entire church. -The maritime ex-voto was classified as a Historic Monument on November 10, 1980. 7. A recent archaeological discovery: 2019 This is probably the most exciting aspect of the monument's history. During sanitation and redevelopment work on the Place de Verdun, archaeologists intervened around the church. They found: -Remains of the north wall of the original Romanesque nave. -Buried architectural elements. -Old circulation levels inside the church. -Graves. -Traces of medieval constructions nearby. These researches showed that the remains of the old church were much better preserved than previously thought. You can consult the official report from the Ministry of Culture: Archaeological report 2019 – Le Gua, pages 80 and 81 (PDF).

Nice route through the forest. The fold is okay. Closed to motorized traffic.

Superbly developed cycle path through the forest. A clear recommendation.

This section of the cycle path is highly recommended. The asphalt is excellent and the route is very scenic.

This viewpoint, located near the port of La Palmyre, offers a magnificent panorama of the Atlantic Ocean. It is an ideal place to take a break and enjoy the landscape, between the sea, boats, and surrounding nature. The atmosphere is particularly pleasant, especially at sunrise or sunset, when the colors illuminate the coast. A must-stop during a bike or mountain bike ride on the Charente coast.

Beautiful view, I recommend it

Also a nice alternative for the faster ones on road bikes or gravel bikes when the sun is blazing on the road. However, in the northern part without comparable climbs. But be careful! Between light and shadow, there are partly very high root passages that can knock the handlebars out of your hand at high speed.

A beautiful trail with pine scents. A real treat.