The greenwich village of Talmont-sur-Gironde in Charente-Maritime was founded in 1284 by Edward I, AKA Edward Longshanks, ruler of Aquitaine and King of England ( 1272-1307 ). He chose the land on a rough promontory overlooking the Gironde Estuary, 15km south of Royan, in order to build a fortify township in the strategic placement. The King wasn ’ t the most popular royal, but he was surely good at picking a beautiful spot to build a castle .
There ’ s not much evidence of his time hera though the town has kept its original layout. The greenwich village is fabulously pretty and is formally one of the “ plus boyfriend Villages de France ” .
What to see in Talmont-sur-Gironde
Sitting on the banks of Europe ’ south largest estuary, Talmont -sur-Gironde in Charente-Maritime, is postcard reasonably .
Park your car in the car park on the edge of the town and wander the pedestrianised cobble streets. Quaint traditional whitewashed houses with blue shutters. Bright coloured hollyhocks grow wild in the streets and roses drip from every wall. This is one of the prettiest little villages in France and the third base most visit site in Charente-Maritime .
On Tuesday nights through July and August some of the buildings are lit up from 21h. It makes for a lovely promenade in the atmospheric little village and many of the shops stay open belated .
Through April to September a farmer ’ randomness market is held on Sundays from 9h to 16h .
Though you could probably get all the way round well within an hour, it ’ s a nice home to take your time. Wander, stop and enjoy the views, sit and contemplate the swerve comeliness of the placid streets and stunning views. Take a break at one of the little bars and restaurants and make it a half day…
Monuments and artists
The Romanesque Church of Sainte-Radegonde is one of the architectural jewels of the greenwich village sitting on the edge of the village, overlooking the estuary. Built between the 11th and 15th centuries by Benedictine monks, it was once used as a stopover on the pilgrimage road to Santiago de Compostela and is a classified Historic Monument. The fragile smasher of this ashen stone church, pounded by the elements, is brilliant .
Sainte Radegonde was a little know sixth century german princess. She founded a monastery of Sainte-Croix in Poitiers in 560 and was said to have the baron to heal and defender of sailors .
Adjoining the church service, is a marine cemetery which has besides been classified as a Historic Monument in its own correct. It possesses respective cenotaphs, a well as tombs dating to the eighteenth hundred.
Read more: What is the Maritime Industry?
There ’ s a small museum set up in one of the traditional houses with an exhibition of local history .
The village is a attraction for artists and there are many craftsman shops in the village. Beware, some of these shops are absolutely irresistible. Rose Outremer creates fascinators, “ head jewelry ” she says as she shows row after row of enchanting accessories, singular and “ frivolous ”. Her conserve Philippe Robert, a cougar displays his art on the walls of their bantam boutique in rue de la Tour Blanche. And at the glass makers shop, Un Monde de Verre in sorrow du Port, Veronique and Marc, passkey craftsmen, spin amaze glass jewelry before your eyes .
A maritime marvel
Fishermen set up their nets from traditional wooden pontoons along the estuary below the cliffs. It ’ s a charming sight, one which has not changed in many years .
Wild hayfield flowers grow along the cliff clear and they somehow wangle to thrive in cracks in the walls, giving the stead a splash of color that adds a little magic trick .
You can take a guide river trip from Port Medoc on the early side of the Estuary and unwrap Talmont-sur-Gironde from the body of water .
What to see nearby:
close by and worth visit :
The Gallo-Roman site Fâ in Barzan.
Les Grottes du Regulus, naturally formed caves which were converted to troglodyte housing in the nineteenth century.
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Tourist office Talmont-sur-Gironde : www.talmont-sur-gironde.fr
What to see and do in Les Charentes : Charente and Charente-Maritime : www.atlantic-cognac.com
