This multimedia tour will take you through the history and heritage of Talmont-sur-Gironde through videos, quizzes and audio commentary on the landscape of the estuary, the church of Talmont, the town wall, the port, fishing and the ancient town of Fâ, a former Gallo-Roman port situated just a few kilometres from the town of Talmont.
Did you know that Talmont used to be a limestone islet, separated from the estuary bank? This first video will tell you about how the landscape of estuary’s right bank was formed, from the slow formation of the marshes to their draining by man.
The current shape of the town of Talmont is the legacy of King Edward I. In the year 1284, the English king built the walled town on the site of the old seigniorial village. This presentation will help you discover more about the ramparts and their history.
In the middle of the estuary, looking out from Talmont, you can still spot at low tide two little black dots. These are what’s left of the masts of the ship baptised the Armiénois, sunk during WWII. Listen to learn more about its history.
This video will help you to understand, with the help of digital imagery, the history of the Church of Sainte Radegonde, which has seen many changes over the years, especially during the restorations of the previous century.
Many of the original Romanesque carved decorations have been preserved, not only at the entrance but also on other parts of the façade and inside the building. Take a closer look with our guide.
Did you spot the model ship hanging above you? What sort of ship do you think it is?
It is a frigate, a fast and narrow medium-sized warship, smaller than a galleon, designed for the transport of goods, and the caravel, designed for the long voyages of explorers. This model is a carefully rendered replica of an 18th century French navy frigate, with realistic details such as its masts and canons.
This boat, listed as a Historical Monument, is said to have been given to the church in 1910 by Talmont sailor Alfred Violleaud (1830-1912). Violleaud, who had survived a shipwreck on the South China Sea, may have been expressing his gratitude to Saint Radegund, patron saint of sailors, by offering this ex-voto. This was a common custom, and more ex-votos of this kind can be seen in most churches along the coast.
Although the origin of this tradition remains uncertain in the absence of written accounts, the story of the Macao shipwreck was recorded in detail by Alfred Violleaud in a manuscript, a copy of which is kept in the local museum.
It is a frigate, a fast and narrow medium-sized warship, smaller than a galleon, designed for the transport of goods, and the caravel, designed for the long voyages of explorers. This model is a carefully rendered replica of an 18th century French navy frigate, with realistic details such as its masts and canons.
This boat, listed as a Historical Monument, is said to have been given to the church in 1910 by Talmont sailor Alfred Violleaud (1830-1912). Violleaud, who had survived a shipwreck on the South China Sea, may have been expressing his gratitude to Saint Radegund, patron saint of sailors, by offering this ex-voto. This was a common custom, and more ex-votos of this kind can be seen in most churches along the coast.
Although the origin of this tradition remains uncertain in the absence of written accounts, the story of the Macao shipwreck was recorded in detail by Alfred Violleaud in a manuscript, a copy of which is kept in the local museum.
It is a frigate, a fast and narrow medium-sized warship, smaller than a galleon, designed for the transport of goods, and the caravel, designed for the long voyages of explorers. This model is a carefully rendered replica of an 18th century French navy frigate, with realistic details such as its masts and canons.
This boat, listed as a Historical Monument, is said to have been given to the church in 1910 by Talmont sailor Alfred Violleaud (1830-1912). Violleaud, who had survived a shipwreck on the South China Sea, may have been expressing his gratitude to Saint Radegund, patron saint of sailors, by offering this ex-voto. This was a common custom, and more ex-votos of this kind can be seen in most churches along the coast.
Although the origin of this tradition remains uncertain in the absence of written accounts, the story of the Macao shipwreck was recorded in detail by Alfred Violleaud in a manuscript, a copy of which is kept in the local museum.
At the opening onto the small cove in front of you, there used to be a postern of the old town wall (which we talked about in the video about the town’s fortifications). Do you remember its name?
At the opening onto the small cove in front of you, there used to be a postern of the old town wall (which we talked about in the video about the town’s fortifications). Do you remember its name?
It was called the Porte de Médoc (the Médoc Gate), named after the region found on the other bank of the estuary. Nowadays it is known as the “Fosse-porte” (“Pit Gate”). The cove was protected by the ramparts, the foundations of which are still visible at low tide. The postern leading to this enclosed space allowed the passage of rowboats that serviced vessels anchoring offshore. It would be closed at night.
By walking down the stairs to the little gate, you will be able to look out onto the cove, where you will spot a curved wall to your right. It was built in the year 2000 to protect and reinforce the cliff below the church, which was damaged during storm Martin of 27 December 1999.
It was called the Porte de Médoc (the Médoc Gate), named after the region found on the other bank of the estuary. Nowadays it is known as the “Fosse-porte” (“Pit Gate”). The cove was protected by the ramparts, the foundations of which are still visible at low tide. The postern leading to this enclosed space allowed the passage of rowboats that serviced vessels anchoring offshore. It would be closed at night.
By walking down the stairs to the little gate, you will be able to look out onto the cove, where you will spot a curved wall to your right. It was built in the year 2000 to protect and reinforce the cliff below the church, which was damaged during storm Martin of 27 December 1999.
It was called the Porte de Médoc (the Médoc Gate), named after the region found on the other bank of the estuary. Nowadays it is known as the “Fosse-porte” (“Pit Gate”). The cove was protected by the ramparts, the foundations of which are still visible at low tide. The postern leading to this enclosed space allowed the passage of rowboats that serviced vessels anchoring offshore. It would be closed at night.
By walking down the stairs to the little gate, you will be able to look out onto the cove, where you will spot a curved wall to your right. It was built in the year 2000 to protect and reinforce the cliff below the church, which was damaged during storm Martin of 27 December 1999.
Take a moment to learn about the turbulent history of this small town, coveted during the wars for its strategic location.
Look closely at this stunning pavilion and its belvedere. What material are the balustrade, entrance and columns of the pavilion made out of?
Look closely at this stunning pavilion and its belvedere. What material are the balustrade, entrance and columns of the pavilion made out of?
The balustrade, entrance and columns of the pavilion are made of reinforced cement, finished in faux bois. To imitate the shape of a branch, a steel rod is twisted into a branch shape, surrounded by wire netting and coated with cement. The surface of the cement is then reworked to achieve the appearance of bark. This technique, known as rocaille, was fashionable during the early 20th century. Built around 1925 by an individual, this pavilion is a reference to the follies of 18th century gardens, with its hexagonal shape and pagoda-inspired roof.
In 1947, the owner at the time, Mr Raymond Lièvre, had an underground passageway dug out which led to the Gironde through a door built into the cliff, where there used to be a carrelet. The entrance to the tunnel, in which a small chapel has been built, can be found in a room attached to the basement of the belvedere.
The balustrade, entrance and columns of the pavilion are made of reinforced cement, finished in faux bois. To imitate the shape of a branch, a steel rod is twisted into a branch shape, surrounded by wire netting and coated with cement. The surface of the cement is then reworked to achieve the appearance of bark. This technique, known as rocaille, was fashionable during the early 20th century. Built around 1925 by an individual, this pavilion is a reference to the follies of 18th century gardens, with its hexagonal shape and pagoda-inspired roof.
In 1947, the owner at the time, Mr Raymond Lièvre, had an underground passageway dug out which led to the Gironde through a door built into the cliff, where there used to be a carrelet. The entrance to the tunnel, in which a small chapel has been built, can be found in a room attached to the basement of the belvedere.
The balustrade, entrance and columns of the pavilion are made of reinforced cement, finished in faux bois. To imitate the shape of a branch, a steel rod is twisted into a branch shape, surrounded by wire netting and coated with cement. The surface of the cement is then reworked to achieve the appearance of bark. This technique, known as rocaille, was fashionable during the early 20th century. Built around 1925 by an individual, this pavilion is a reference to the follies of 18th century gardens, with its hexagonal shape and pagoda-inspired roof.
In 1947, the owner at the time, Mr Raymond Lièvre, had an underground passageway dug out which led to the Gironde through a door built into the cliff, where there used to be a carrelet. The entrance to the tunnel, in which a small chapel has been built, can be found in a room attached to the basement of the belvedere.
This is what remains of the towers that formed part of Talmont’s town wall: the White Tower. Take some time to learn a little about the town’s fortifications with this audio guide.
The port of Talmont, with its perfect location on the estuary, has been the subject of major development plans since the Second World War, which luckily it was able to escape from! Listen to learn more.
The estuary used to be populated by sturgeon which, thanks to their precious eggs, made the fortunes of fishermen and caviar producers. But there is another strange fish that populates these waters. It’s the meagre, a species that is fished... by ear! Find out more with this video presentation.
In this video interview, Jean-Michel Laloue, from the French Coastal Protection Agency, tells us about how people have transformed the landscape around the town of Talmont and about their recent landscaping work.
These strange little cabins perched above the water are called “carrelets” and are used for fishing. René Bénéteau gives us a demonstration of this amateur fishing technique.
This is a place where land meets the sea. Because of this, the activity of the local inhabitants has evolved over the centuries, turning increasingly towards agriculture, following the development of the landscape, as can be seen in the vineyards close by.
Beyond the Pointe du Caillaud, in the town of Barzan, less than a kilometre from here, you will reach a bay that used to house a busy Gallo-Roman port. This video tells you more about this ancient town, whose remnants are still visible at the site and at the Fâ museum.
