The best traffic-free bike rides around Nieulle-Sur-Seudre

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

L'Embellie beach is a real must-see on the coast. This spot offers an exceptional natural setting with an unobstructed view of the island of Oléron, ideal for a break during a mountain bike or bike ride. Between the ocean, the dunes, and the fine sand, the panorama is magnificent in all seasons. A perfect place to enjoy the calm, admire the landscape, and take a few photos before continuing the route.

The carrelets of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer are among the most emblematic elements of the Charente coastline. Their history blends traditional fishing, tourist development, and local heritage. 🐟 Origin of the carrelets Originally, the word "carrelet" referred to a square fishing net used since the 17th century. A precise description can be found as early as 1769, in the writings of the scholar Henri-Louis Duhamel du Monceau, who mentioned this type of fishing on the Saintonge coast. 👉 At that time, these were not yet the current huts, but simply a net operated from rudimentary structures. ⚓ Artisanal fishing structures The first local carrelets were simple wooden platforms, built by the fishermen themselves to stand above the water. They were mainly used to catch shrimp, fish, and crabs near the shore, without going out to sea. 👉 It was a family and coastal fishery, less dangerous than sea fishing. 🏖️ 19th – early 20th century: transition to a leisure activity At the turn of the 20th century, with the rise of seaside resorts like Saint-Palais, the carrelets evolved. Holidaymakers and notable figures adopted this practice: construction of fixed jetties, appearance of huts on stilts. The carrelets then became places for relaxation as much as for fishing. 👉 They already contributed to the postcard image of the coast. 🪵 After 1945: democratization and multiplication After the Second World War, the number of carrelets increased sharply. They became a symbol of popular leisure and conviviality. The transition was gradually made from a means of subsistence to a recreational activity. 🌊 Storms and reconstruction The carrelets are fragile in the face of storms: 1999: massive destruction (up to 90% in some areas) 2010 (Xynthia storm): new damage Many have been rebuilt identically, respecting tradition. 🏛️ Today: protected heritage In Charente-Maritime, there are about 400 carrelets. They are: integrated into the public maritime domain allocated by administrative authorization (often renewed every 5 years) Since 2018, they have been recognized as cultural heritage of the department. 👉 In Saint-Palais, they can be observed in particular: at Pont du Diable at the conche du Concié at the Puits de l’Auture

📍 Introducing the Gilet Cove The Gilet Cove is a small, natural beach on the oceanfront, located on Boulevard de la Conche de Gilet / Boulevard de la Falaise, in the town of Vaux-sur-Mer, just before Royan. 🌿 It's a sheltered, rocky cove, appreciated for its tranquility and more intimate setting compared to the larger urban beaches nearby. 🏖️ At high tide, the sea can completely cover this small beach, making the space very limited; at low tide, you can enjoy a patch of sand and rocks for relaxing or swimming. 🧭 Features & Tips 📍 Type of place: small, unsupervised beach, nestled among the rocks with sand and cliffs. 🏖️ Tides: access is best at low tide — at high tide the beach can disappear underwater. 🐶 Animals: prohibited from April 1st to September 30th (subject to municipal regulations). 👣 Access: via stairs from the boulevard above, surrounded by villas with sea views. 🚫 Lifeguard services: no lifeguard station or marked services. 📍 Location La Conche de Gilet is often considered the last small beach in Vaux-sur-Mer before reaching Royan/Pontaillac when following the coastline from Saint-Palais-sur-Mer.

the eel pass

The flushing lock is located at the head of the port, between the north bank's embankment and the south bank's quay. A retention basin, occupying the non-navigable Seudre riverbed as far as Saujon, follows the flushing lock. Within the retention basin, rubble stone embankments extend the lock's return walls for a few meters. The lock itself forms a bridge carrying a road. The lock bridge consists of two piers, forming three arches, each housing two gates. On the upstream side of the lock, the piers have semicircular cutwaters. The three bands are stacked and terminate in clamps. The lock ends with a cornice resting on modillions. The cornice follows the shape of the cutwaters. A metal balustrade, also semicircular in shape, is fixed to the top of the lock. This balustrade is framed by two stone moldings. The sluice gate and its upstream and downstream return walls are constructed of dressed stone. The masonry is of medium and regular quality, except for the coping of the return walls, which features large and regular masonry. The upstream north return wall is lower than the one on the south bank. A small parapet of recently constructed white rubble masonry surmounts it. The sluice gate is equipped with metal gates, the modern racks of which are visible. The first sluice gate was built around 1825 on the site of a former tidal mill. During the works carried out between 1839 and 1842, the sluice gate's embankment was modified to allow the passage of vehicles. Between 1847 and 1853, the lock was enlarged to allow for larger flushes, and the reservoir was excavated. Return walls were also built to connect the flushing lock to the riprap. It was then restored in 1865 and completely rebuilt between 1868 and 1869. The lock is 10.50 m wide, and its gates are each 1.50 m wide. The reservoir is 700 m long and has an average width of 30 m.

it's great