Roundtrip from Lusseray to Saintes and the Cognac region
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Last edit: 30-04-2021
Route Summary
Poitou-Charentes is a region in the west of France and consists of four different departments, namely Charente, Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sèvres and Vienne. Poitou-Charentes has a varied nature. Vast landscapes, forest areas, coastlines and wetlands. This ride takes you to the Charente.
The landscape of Charente is sublime. At the very heart of the cognac region you will see endless vineyards dotted with white limestones that lie on gently sloping hills. Around it, farm roads meander from village to village.
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Verdict
Duration
8h 24m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
219.10 km
Countries
Cornfields nearby Aulnay
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You leave in Lusseray at the holiday home 'O'Limousin' (Airbnb). The house has been completely renovated. There is a large parking and garden. The motor can possibly be on the terrace under the shelter. There is a fully fitted kitchen and lounge. There are 2 bedrooms and a bathroom with shower.You drive through fields full of grain or sunflowers depending on the season, which is definitely worth a stop to take beautiful photos.
A first stop is at the Saint-Pierre church in Aulnay. The 12th century church is a beautiful example of Romanesque art. Aulnay was a stopover on the pilgrimage path to St. Jacques-de-Compostelle.
Like the central west portal, the south portal has 4 beautiful levels of arches, surmounted by an oculus. Inside, the ship's pillars consist of 4 joined columns.
Tombstones in the form of sarcophagi, a 15th-century Hosannière cross and cypress trees surround the church.
The church in Fenioux is notable for its monumental facade, strongly inspired by that of Saint-Pierre in Aulnay. Due to its sculpture and architecture, it is symbolic of Saintonge's Romanesque art.
The Lanterne des morts in Fenioux was built in the 12th century on a site already the subject of pagan rites in the 6th century: excavations have indeed revealed Celtic stones and the remains of a Druid altar. It is an exceptionally well-preserved monument. It consists of eleven columns, with an internal staircase of 38 steps leading to the top and a lantern surmounted by a cross. A vaulted cellar leans against the lantern.
Before crossing the Charente, we arrive at the Château de Taillebourg.
It is a castle ruin from the Middle Ages. It is built on a rock overlooking the village of Taillebourg and the valley of the Charente River. It had a very strategic position and was therefore at the center of many conflicts during the Middle Ages.
The Château de Taillebourg has today been converted into a public garden, where one can view the 18th century battlements and the underground chambers of the old castle.
There is a lot to visit in Saintes.
The city of Saintes, a city of art and history, was founded in the 1st century and has an important architectural and religious heritage that attests to a rich past.
The thermal baths of Saint-Saloine are remains of the ancient Roman thermal baths of the Gallo-Roman city of Saintes. Only a few parts of the wall remain of the original building with niches, remnants of the caldarium. Some of the stones are from the later erected church. Excavations have uncovered numerous ancient and medieval sarcophagi. This points to the site's transformation into a graveyard during late antiquity and early medieval times. This site is free to visit.
The Saintes Amphitheater is definitely worth a visit. The amphitheater measured 126 by 102 meters. It could seat about 12,000 to 15,000 spectators. The amphitheater is located in a small valley. The grandstand was built against the slopes of the hills on the long sides and thus provided support in a natural way. There were about 100 entrances, through which the spectators got into their seats via stairs. The arena measured 66.5 by 39 meters and was surrounded by a 2-meter high wall, which shielded spectators from the wild beasts and gladiators. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, the amphitheater fell out of use. It was used as a quarry in the Middle Ages, with the precious building materials looted to be reused in new buildings elsewhere. Despite this, the foundations of the cavea and the arena have been largely preserved. This makes the original building still quite recognizable.
Since 1840, the amphitheater has been listed as a historical monument and has been partially restored. Today, operas and other events are organized for tourists in the summer months.
The amphitheater is open daily from 10am to 12.30pm and from 1.30pm to 6pm.
Basic rate adult: € 4 per person.
In restaurant 'Les saveurs du monde' on the ring of Saintes you can eat well. You can choose different menus in a specific theme: Mexican, French, American and Italian.
A few kilometers further, you can visit the German Military Cemetery of Berneuil along the D137.
A Franco-German agreement signed in 1954 included the plan to create a cemetery in Berneuil for the regrouping of German soldiers first buried in the departments of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Cantal, Charente-Maritime, Corrèze, Creuse, Dordogne, Gers, Gironde, Haute-Vienne, Lot, Landes, Hautes-Pyrénées, Tarn-et-Garonne and Lot-et-Garonne. Some had fallen very shortly after D-Day, in June 1944, most in 1944 or 1945, but there are also a few who later fell victim to typhus in the Saint-Médard-en Jalles prison camp, near Bordeaux.
8,342 soldiers are buried there, usually in groups of four, under a stone slab bearing the names, date of birth and death, rank or the words: "EIN UNBEKANNTER DEUTSCHER SOLDAT" ("unknown German soldier", as was the case with 353 of them ). This very well-kept cemetery of approximately two hectares is located in a pleasant landscape, on the edge of the cognac vineyards, on a small hill. It is shaded by large trees and divided into eight lots. A place to pause for a moment.
The keep of Pons is one of the best preserved in western France. The bluestone walls are 2.5 meters thick on three sides and 4.40 meters thick on the north side. With a height of 33 meters, it has a base of 26.45 meters by 15.25 meters. The interior had three levels. You can visit the keep and from the top it offers a panorama over the Seugne valley and the medieval streets of the city. Temporary art and craft exhibitions are regularly organized.
Opening days and hours 2020:
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 6pm
Saturday from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 6pm
Sunday from 2 pm to 6 pm
Thursday evening from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Entrance: 3.80 euros per person.
From now on we will gradually drive through the vineyards. These are concentrated in the hilly surroundings of the town of Cognac, after which the drink is named.
Viticulture was already practiced in the Charente region in the time of the Romans. In other words, the Pineau des Charentes and Cognac have a shared history. The winegrowers respect the same traditions and cultivate the same know-how in the creation of this unique liqueur wine. Originally intended as a wine for family use, for weddings and family occasions, the Pineau conquered region after region until it was finally recognized as a national product. In 1935, the efforts of the Pineau were rewarded with the status of liqueur wine with designation of origin. Today, the Pineau's fame extends far beyond the French borders.
Cognac originated in France at the end of the 16th century. It was discovered by Dutch merchantmen, but further refined by French distillers. France today has no fewer than 500 cognac houses. Most are small, because about 10 large houses account for almost 70% of the total cognac turnover.
The Gallo-Roman theater of Bouchauds with a diameter of 105.60 meters is the largest in Aquitaine, notably larger than the theater in Orange with a diameter of 104 meters. It can accommodate more than 5,000 to 6,000 people. It was dug and built into the side of the hill. The theater dates from the beginning of the 1st century.
Free to visit all year round.
This is pretty much the last stop on the ride. From here it is about 40 km along quiet agricultural roads to the holiday home.
On the one hand, the landscape is very open with lots of wheat fields and sunflowers. On the other hand, part of the route passes through the vineyards. It is slightly sloping, giving you beautiful views. There are a number of historical sites. There is no mass tourism in this region. Unfortunately, the road surface is not too good. However, this is compensated by the very quiet small winding roads and the larger runways have little traffic. This route also gets 4 stars.
Church Saint-Pierre Aulnay
Amphitheatre Saintes
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Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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