This label, founded in 1981, imposes strict specifications on candidate villages: rural dimension, exceptional natural and built heritage, collective willingness to develop the area… To date, only 157 villages — including 6 in Charentes — stand out with this prestigious mark. So on the way and… let yourself be charmed!
Ars-en-D
Located on the west side of the Île de Ré, this small gem of Rethis architecture is easily recognizable by the black and white painted church bell tower that rises to 40m high: this “beacon” is a valuable landmark for sailors. With its beautiful lively port and flower-filled streets lined with white houses and green shutters, Ars-en-Ré will inevitably enchant you! The village, born from the exploitation of salt marshes, has 60 sausage producers who harvest the marshes of the Fier d’Ars. Go to jefikes to explore the bike paths that cross this labyrinth of salt marshes where the famous Fleur de sel from Île de Ré is harvested: exciting encounters and landscapes are guaranteed!
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Aubeterre-sur-Dronne
Located in the south of Charente, this Petite Cité de Caractère® is built in an amphitheater around a bend in the Dronne that marks the border between Charentes and Périgord. This former fortress was named “Terra Alba” (white land): you will understand, here everything is nothing but light! Explore the steep alleys that lead you from painting workshops to craft shops, with lush panoramas at every turn. Discover the white houses adorned with Spanish balconies, the laundry, and the Romanesque façade of the Saint-Jacques church. Take a break on the terrace by the village beach with its atmosphere to discover a unique and unusual miracle: the underground church of Saint-Jean. Carved into the cliff beneath the castle, it is one of the highest in Europe and its dimensions are dizzying: 27 meters long, 16 meters wide, and a vault rising 20 meters high, all cut by man from the rock! After this beautiful visit, head to the nearby Dronne for a swim, a canoe trip, or a picnic by the water!
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Scramming
Nestled in the heart of the marsh between Rochefort and the Île d’Oléron, this stone citadel bordered by the ocean was one of the most important saltwater ports on the Atlantic coast. After becoming a military fortress by the will of Richelieu, this renowned and impregnable military stronghold housed a garrison of 6000 men, an arsenal, a forge, a hospital, and even… an underground port! The imposing ramparts renovated by the famous Vauban in the 17th century were powerless against a silent but ruthless enemy: salinization. Forgotten by the ocean, the will of Brouage slumbered for several centuries. The village today has retained the appearance of Richelieu, even though beautiful artisan stalls have replaced the salt merchants! Discover the food market, the cooperage, the ironwork, the powder warehouse, and the cooler! Don’t forget to climb to the top of the ramparts (2 km long): you will discover a breathtaking panorama of the city’s military architecture and the former Gulf of Saintonge, now this vast swamp, an oasis of peace for thousands of birds. You will see the village of Yers (which was once an island!) and in the distance, the Île d’Oléron.
Déflottement en D ******©jean-marie clausse — Flickr
Overlooking the Vendée coast, La Flotte is one of the oldest villages on the Île de Ré and a renowned port for seafarers! With its incredible rounded pier of 200 m long ending with the green lighthouse that guides sailors, the beautiful port with terraces and small bistros lives to the rhythm of sailing and boat outings. Get lost in its narrow flower-filled alleys and admire the beautiful 18th-century houses of Cours Félix Faure. Don’t forget to stock up on local specialties at the magnificent market with medieval architecture, open every day of the year! After this wonderful stroll, you can enjoy the proximity of the Arnerault beach for a swim or a contemplative break by the ocean!
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Mornac sur Seudre
This beautiful medieval village in the royal hinterland is located at the mouth of the Seudre estuary. Once a fishing port, the village is now dedicated to oyster farming and salt harvesting in the salt marshes. Flower-filled alleys lined with small fishermen’s houses with green and blue shutters, medieval halls, a Romanesque church, artists’ workshops, and colorful huts… Mornac-sur-Seudre offers you a postcard landscape! After a walk through the cobbled streets, discover the marsh and the estuary of the Seudre. You can walk on the pedestrian paths, take a 5 km stroll along the dikes, meet a salt worker who will introduce you to the world of salt marshes, navigate through the canals by boat, kayak, or even paddle… before heading to a good plate of oysters to enjoy right from the clear area!
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Talmont-sur-Gironde
Pearl of the mouth, jewel of Saintonge… superlatives rush in — rightly so — to define Talmont-sur-Gironde. The village sits on its peninsula and has been watching the mouth of the Gironde for over 8 centuries… 12 km wide! This former bastide, founded in the 12th century, was a formidable stronghold of which many remnants remain. After the narrow isthmus that now connects the village to the mainland, the charm works immediately: the straight alleys lined with white houses with colorful shutters and artisan stalls invite you to stroll. After a walk along the ramparts, we discover the stout silhouette of the Saint-Radegonde church proudly perched on the cliff: built in the 12th century by the monks of the abbey of Saint-Jean-d’Angély, it is a true gem of Romanesque art. Just behind the church, take the Promenade des Remparts, a centuries-old circular path of the citadel, which offers a breathtaking view of the mouth of the Gironde. You can see the point of Graves and the shores of Médoc. Here you can find the most imposing remnant of the medieval citadel: the “Tour Blanche” named by the English in memory of the famous White Tower of London. Don’t miss the view of Roche Caillaud, the vineyards, and the very calm battery… colorful junctions!
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Source: breizhpower.fr