Sentier Détours N°1 – Saujon
This Détours Trail allows you to discover, through detailed explanatory panels, the remarkable elements of the historical heritage of the town of Saujon, via Route 1 "Historical Circuit".
The origin is possibly Celtic "sau" (salt) and "on" (water). The name would also come from the Gallo Roman "Salvianonem" or "villa Salvii". The city was called "Savion", then "Saujean", finally Saujon.
Route details
on video
Linked offers
TO SEE On the route
Office de Tourisme Saujon
Tourism institutions
Your itinerary
Step 1: DEPARTURE FROM THE PORT OF RIBÉROU LOCKS
The Ribérou locks, known as “gates to the sea”, separate the fresh and salt waters of the Seudre. Until the XNUMXth century, the estuary ended with a tidal mill which was transformed into a hunting lock in order to evacuate silt from the port.
Stroll through the old fishermen's quarter via rue des Canes and rue du Soleil. Take rue de la Guitarderie to the SNCF station then rue Émile Gaboriau. Émile Gaboriau is a writer from Saujon, father of the detective novel. His character, the investigator Lecoq, influenced Conan Doyle for the creation of Sherlock Holmes.
Opposite the station, take avenue Gambetta then turn left into rue Réaumur
Step 2: The Protestant temple
In the XNUMXth century, the Reformation conquered the vast majority of the population, including the lord of Saujon, Denis de Campet, who was very involved in the wars of religion.
Step 3: Town Hall
The building hides a curiosity: an old well on the construction site.
Take rue Carnot and follow the Seudre on the right via rue du Lavoir.
Step 4: The chalet park
The chalets welcomed spa guests. It all began in 1860, when Doctor Louis Dubois set up a small establishment made up of two treatment rooms.
care, a shower and a bath. Today, the Saujon spa is at the forefront of the treatment of psychosomatic conditions.
Step 5: The Saint-Jean-Baptiste church
The Saujon church has two chapels, one of which is decorated with four capitals found on the excavation site of the Saint-Martin priory at the beginning of the XNUMXth century.
Step 6: Place Richelieu
Formerly the St-Martin priory was located there. It hosted the major livestock fairs.
Step 7: The castle
During a trip in 1632, while he was ill, Cardinal Richelieu stopped in Saujon, in the de Campet castle. In 1638, while he was planning the construction of a canal between the Gironde estuary and that of the Seudre, he bought the barony of Saujon and had a castle rebuilt, which has now disappeared. His canal project will not see the light of day.
Step 8: The green pruning
Over a total course of 78 km, the Seudre has its source at Petit-St-Antoine near St-Genis-de-Saintonge. It joins the locks of the port of Ribérou in fresh water. On its estuary part, it has 20 km of salt water up to La Tremblade.