RoutesHiking trails & RoutesFranceNew AquitaineRochefortBreuillet
Château de Taupignac loop from Breuillet
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesFranceNew AquitaineRochefortBreuillet
Château de Taupignac loop from Breuillet
Moderate
4.0
(1)
8
hikers
Château de Taupignac loop from Breuillet
02:24
9.26km
50m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: August 21, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
1
502 m
A church historically on the bangs of the village
Highlight • Other
The first mention of this church is made in a charter dated 1186. Seriously damaged during the Hundred Years' War, it then lost its transept and its chevet, of which some vestiges nevertheless remain, taken from the wall of the presbytery. The weakened building was equipped in the 15th century with powerful buttresses, which break the harmony of the façade. One of them preserves, sculpted in stone, the Richelieu coat of arms, added later.
The church was restored several times, and was enlarged in 1767. That same year, the bell tower was rebuilt. A bell cast a few years earlier (1761) was replaced there. Classified as an object by the historical monuments in 1946, it was cracked in 1978.
The church was proposed for classification as a historical monument in 1909, but had to wait until 1914 for this classification to become effective.
Off-centered from the city center, the building built in the 12th century is characteristic of Saintonge Romanesque art. Its surroundings are still occupied by a cemetery that mainly preserves 19th century tombs, but also several medieval sarcophagi, displayed near the south wall.
Characteristic of the Saintonge Romanesque style, it retains a triumphal arch facade incorporating a semicircular portal with four arches, decorated with simple geometric patterns. The upper part, divided into two horizontal registers separated by a cornice with modillions, is composed of arcades (a series of nine small arcades placed on small columns on the first level, topped by a new series of three arcades). The whole is topped by a bell tower, remodeled in the 19th century (1850)
On either side of this facade are clusters of columns, distributed differently on each floor. An oculus, which may have replaced a semicircular bay, provides lighting for the nave. Two fairly massive buttresses frame the façade: they were added in the 15th century. The nave, divided into four bays separated by leaning columns, is covered with a semicircular vault. The capitals, which are fairly crude, retain scant traces of sculpture (foliage in volutes and hooks). The chevet is flat and blind. Lighting is provided by a series of splayed bays (one per bay). Remains of the old Gothic north transept (double arch and ribbed base) and the original chevet are still visible in the masonry of the presbytery.
The church was restored several times, and was enlarged in 1767. That same year, the bell tower was rebuilt. A bell cast a few years earlier (1761) was replaced there. Classified as an object by the historical monuments in 1946, it was cracked in 1978.
The church was proposed for classification as a historical monument in 1909, but had to wait until 1914 for this classification to become effective.
Off-centered from the city center, the building built in the 12th century is characteristic of Saintonge Romanesque art. Its surroundings are still occupied by a cemetery that mainly preserves 19th century tombs, but also several medieval sarcophagi, displayed near the south wall.
Characteristic of the Saintonge Romanesque style, it retains a triumphal arch facade incorporating a semicircular portal with four arches, decorated with simple geometric patterns. The upper part, divided into two horizontal registers separated by a cornice with modillions, is composed of arcades (a series of nine small arcades placed on small columns on the first level, topped by a new series of three arcades). The whole is topped by a bell tower, remodeled in the 19th century (1850)
On either side of this facade are clusters of columns, distributed differently on each floor. An oculus, which may have replaced a semicircular bay, provides lighting for the nave. Two fairly massive buttresses frame the façade: they were added in the 15th century. The nave, divided into four bays separated by leaning columns, is covered with a semicircular vault. The capitals, which are fairly crude, retain scant traces of sculpture (foliage in volutes and hooks). The chevet is flat and blind. Lighting is provided by a series of splayed bays (one per bay). Remains of the old Gothic north transept (double arch and ribbed base) and the original chevet are still visible in the masonry of the presbytery.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2
4.57 km
Château de Taupignac
Highlight • Castle
Although a region of the langue d'oïl, like the whole of Saintonge, Breuillet has place names ending in ac; they attest to an Occitan origin. In the Gallo-Roman era, most of the names of the regions and their towns originated from the name of the (Gallo-Roman) people who occupied them. To simplify, the suffix ac would mean Chez le nom du peuple. The Taupignac district is located in the southern part of the commune of Breuillet, near the Beaulieu roundabout (Vaux-sur-Mer/Saint-Palais-sur-Mer) and the Royan ring road. Built on one of the hills overlooking the Saint-Augustin marsh, it is bordered to the north by an oak grove and by the Pérat (or Peyrat) stream. Several sources explain the presence of numerous wells on either side of the houses. Agriculture was predominant there until the 1970s, before gradually declining to make way for tourism (which explains the predominance of old buildings in the center of the village and even a campsite with bungalows as well as new houses and an equestrian center on the outskirts.
Like many hamlets on the Arvert peninsula, Taupignac was inhabited mainly by Protestants, which explains the presence of many private graves.
During the Renaissance, the village was home to a seigneury, as evidenced by the dwelling, remodeled over the centuries. Also called Taupignac castle, the current dwelling consists of a building dating from the 16th or 17th century. An inventory was carried out there in 1697 and presents the building as follows: "buildings organized around a pavilion covered with slate, roof covered with flat tiles with a top of a small bell tower". The dwelling consists of a small modern building extended by 2 low wings framed by wings of higher outbuildings. A seigneury probably present since the Middle Ages, it depends on the barony of Mornac. All that remains of the initial dwelling is a largely remodeled dovecote.
Near the Taupignac dwelling, on the other side of the departmental road, the Saintonge Country Club had created, in 1924, an 18-hole golf course, a meeting place for Royan high society. After serving as a set for several films directed by É. Couzinet (Le Brigand gentilhomme, in particular), it was closed during the Occupation. The site, which was well known to Royan youth for housing a complex combining a bar/restaurant/nightclub, no longer hosts any activity.
Like many hamlets on the Arvert peninsula, Taupignac was inhabited mainly by Protestants, which explains the presence of many private graves.
During the Renaissance, the village was home to a seigneury, as evidenced by the dwelling, remodeled over the centuries. Also called Taupignac castle, the current dwelling consists of a building dating from the 16th or 17th century. An inventory was carried out there in 1697 and presents the building as follows: "buildings organized around a pavilion covered with slate, roof covered with flat tiles with a top of a small bell tower". The dwelling consists of a small modern building extended by 2 low wings framed by wings of higher outbuildings. A seigneury probably present since the Middle Ages, it depends on the barony of Mornac. All that remains of the initial dwelling is a largely remodeled dovecote.
Near the Taupignac dwelling, on the other side of the departmental road, the Saintonge Country Club had created, in 1924, an 18-hole golf course, a meeting place for Royan high society. After serving as a set for several films directed by É. Couzinet (Le Brigand gentilhomme, in particular), it was closed during the Occupation. The site, which was well known to Royan youth for housing a complex combining a bar/restaurant/nightclub, no longer hosts any activity.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
9.26 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
4.06 km
3.74 km
1.19 km
270 m
Surfaces
3.47 km
2.98 km
2.47 km
354 m
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Saturday 7 November
17°C
5°C
3 %
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