Marennes-Hiers-Brouage

• The Saint-Pierre de Salles church was rebuilt at the end of the 15th century. The spire of the bell tower (the highest in Charente-Maritime) reaches 85 meters, thanks to a succession of buttresses garnished with pinnacles nested in each other. It served as a beacon for a long time to boats that today still use it as bitter. Ruined during the wars of religion, the nave is rebuilt in stages from the beginning of the 17th century. Work on the vault and the gallery began in the 18th century. The murals and stained glass windows are from the 19th century. The Saint-Pierre de Salles church has been a listed building since 1840.
• The castle of Gataudière, built in the eighteenth century, is a vast mansion combining styles Louis XIV, Regency and Louis XV. It consists of a single dwelling with, in its center, a slightly projecting façade crowned with a pediment. It was the property of François Fresneau, "father of the rubber" then of François de Chasseloup-Laubat, general-in-chief of the army of Italy under the Empire.
• The Richelieu House is one of the oldest houses in Marennes. It is located rue Le Terme near the halls. Built around 1650, it was the property of a steward of Richelieu before being looted and burned during the Revolution. It still retains a magnificent Renaissance facade with, at both ends, gargoyles with lion heads. This house is classified as a historical monument since 1981.
• The former sub-prefecture, an 18th-century mansion, the hotel des Fermes, the Bonsonge hotel and the Protestant church, all classified as historic monuments, are also added to the heritage richness of Marennes.

• The citadel of Brouage is an old salt trade port that disputed Catholics and Protestants during the wars of religion. It was in 1627 that Cardinal Richelieu became governor. The year after Pierre d'Argencourt built the ramparts of the city, reinforced by Vauban in 1685. Besides the ramparts, we can still see different constructions: the royal forge, the prison forge called because having served as cells for the prisoners, the food hall, the cooler, the underground port and the magazines. Star of stones in the middle of the marshes, the citadel offers the surprising spectacle of a harbor in the middle of the grounds. It is listed in the inventory of historical monuments since 1886.
• The Brouage church was built in 1608. It is dedicated to Saint-Paul and Saint-Pierre. This large building with three naves, separated by pillars, is of a very military sobriety. The floor of the nave is covered with funerary slabs, including the one in front of the altar of the Marquis de Carnavalet, the last great governor of Brouage. The stained glass windows are the work of Nicolas Sollogoub. They were offered between 1982 and 2001 by the Province of New Brunswick, by the city and province of Quebec, by Ontario, by French private and public public donations and by Nicolas Sollogoub himself. On the facade, you can admire beautiful shields including that of François d'Espinay Saint-Luc and Pierre de Comminges.
• In 1580, Bernard Palissy had the project of a fountain to supply Brouage with drinking water. Located near the church of Hiers, the fountain of Hiers was only realized in 1618. This tank accumulated the water of the nearby springs which flowed in lead pipes until Brouage. In 1633, it was decided to build looks every 200 meters to ensure maintenance. This system worked until the 18th century.

• Three markets a week: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
• From June to September: night market, various entertainment in the public garden, walks at sea (departure to the port of Marennes).
• Beautiful fireworks shot on the Marennes-Plage basin on July 14th.

Sailing school in Bourcefranc le Chapus.