Mortagne-sur-Gironde… The name comes from the Roman occupation and locally, from a Berber garrison (Castrum Mauretaniae: the Moorish camp). Nestled on a cliff
30 m high limestone, the town dominates the Gironde Estuary. In the XNUMXth century, a castle defended the town. Today, nothing remains of the old fortifications. This loop allows you to discover the town, the church and to go along the cliff sheltering the hermitage.
Route details
Opening
Linked offers
TO SEE On the route
Office de Tourisme Mortagne-sur-Gironde
Your itinerary
Step 1: DEPARTURE
Leave from Place Bel Air.
The stele of Yvain de Galles “the Red Hand” recalls that this valiant fighter with the armies of France against the English died tragically in 1378 during the siege of the castle of Mortagne.
Step 2: Saint-Étienne church
It is listed as a Historic Monument. According to legend, a crypt houses the bodies of Charlemagne's companions. The XNUMXth century church was ravaged by the Huguenots during the wars of religion. It will then be rebuilt according to the styles of different periods.
Step 3: The Fontclous fountain
We take a little distance from the village to go to the Fontclous wash house. This source owes its name to the monk who would become Saint-Cloud and who made this spring flow under the foot of his horse.
We continue our way until we reach the cliff.
Step 4: The Saint-Martial hermitage
You have to imagine the troglodyte hermitage of Saint-Martial in the 76nd century: the sea reached the foot of the cliff. The turret which overlooks it would have served as a landmark, a bell tower and a windmill. A staircase of XNUMX steps dug into the rock provided access to the hermitage and its chapel. Living rooms were set up there: the kitchen and its fireplace, the refectory, the pantry, the cells and dormitories. Dwellings and chapel can be visited all year round.
Return to Bel Air Square.
The belvedere and its orientation table: panoramic view of the Gironde estuary, the marshes and the port of Mortagne. A second Détours route awaits you there to discover a circuit that combines history and nature.