Our towns and villages conceal many treasures... which are often ignored or avoided, hidden alongside the routes we take, far from the "direct" routes.
Sablonceaux
Loop
Hard coating (tar, cement, floor)
Marking "Detour Trails"
Autumn, Summer, Winter, Spring
This walk allows you to discover the town of Sablonceaux, and to admire its Abbey. Nestled in the heart of the Saintonge countryside for more than 800 years, the abbey church of Sablonceaux proudly raises its majestic bell tower and retains an imposing appearance, revealing the past grandeur of the Abbey.
It suffered destruction due to the Hundred Years' Wars (1337 – 1458) and the Wars of Religion in the 1789th century. The abbey dwelling was restored by the abbots in the 1791th and especially in the XNUMXth century. During the French Revolution, in XNUMX, the abbey still housed eleven monks. In XNUMX, the abbey, apart from the church, was sold as national property and became an agricultural operation. Half of the buildings disappeared during this period.
The monastic simplicity of the XNUMXth century is expressed inside by the purity and sobriety of the decor and by the ample volumes. The nave, damaged during the Wars of
Religion in the 1830th century, was amputated after XNUMX. It had a Romanesque roof composed of four domes on pendants. The choir and the transept chapels are from the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. The Gothic part dates from the XNUMXth century.
Take the Route de la Rondellerie on the left and turn left again on the Route du Claireau.
After Chemin de Corme on the right, pass through fields until you follow the watercourse “la course de Sablonceaux”. Go around the Berthegille area.
Step 3: The Berthegille bridge
The town is crossed by a stream “la course de Sablonceaux”. In the Middle Ages, there were seven fords. Today, only that of Berthegille remains (restored in 2016). For the other six, they have either disappeared or been replaced by bridges.
Go as far as Route de Chez Roullet on the right then take Route du Bois Chevalet until the roundabout.
OTC Royan Atlantic
Step 4: The bread oven
This old bread oven, which became property of the municipality, was restored a few years ago.
Go down Rue de l'Abbaye and complete the loop!
