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Mornac-sur-Seudre, classified amongst
the most beautiful villages in France
It is worth returning to Mornac to see it captured in the
various shades of light at different times of the day and at
different seasons.
Mornac-sur-Seudre is a place that tourists passing through the
area like to visit, a place to aim for when walking, and for
those who live in the region, a village to return to repeatedly.
From this point of view, it is a little bit like
Talmont-sur-Gironde, first of all one visits to see the
Romanesque church and the village there and then there is an
urge to return for the atmosphere and for just strolling around.
These two villages, classified amongst the most beautiful
villages in France, have several things in common ; the
proximity of an estuary, in the case of Talmont, the biggest
estuary in Europe and for Mornac, quite a small estuary, the
river Seudre ; two 12th Century Romanesque churches, reinforced
to face up to the ravages of the wars at that time; a tourist
development with the various boutiques of artisans and craftsmen.
At Mornac, continue the visit to the village with a walk in the
marshes going towards the Seudre.
It is worth returning to Mornac to see it captured in the
various shades of light at different times of the day and at
different seasons, as I have tried to capture in the photographs.
The
village and the church of Saint Nicholas
The
access to Mornac is easy from
Saint-Sulpice-de-Royan, on the D733 route, Royan-Rochefort.
The D140 leaves the D733 at Fontbedeau, near the train station
Saujon-La Tremblade, and continues on to Mornac through the
marshes.
Several car parks have been built
near the centre to welcome the numerous summer visitors.
The 14th century market is a good
starting point for the visit.
From there, on the right-hand side you will see the fortified
bell tower of the church of Saint Nicholas .
The interior of the church, a little
below street level, with beautiful Romanesque columns, is well
worth looking around before leaving by the door on the left,
which leads to the stairs going up to the bell tower.
The ascent to the top of the bell
tower is absolutely recommended in order to take advantage of a
panoramic view over the roofs with their curved tiles, the
remaining part of the castle, the marshes, the ‘claires’ oyster
beds, the canals and the Seudre.
On leaving the church, continue along
la rue du Port which curves down to the small square in front of
the port.
Alternatively, you can take the slightly longer route through
the alleys which will lead eventually to the port, just follow
the downhill slope.
At any time of the day or evening
during the season, you can always take a small break for
refreshments.
"La Bonne Tarte", on the left-hand
side walking down la rue du Port and open all the year round, is
famous for its plum tarts.
A little lower down on the right-hand side of the port, the
creperie installed in the old mill, with a very pleasant terrace
overlooking the marsh, offers a wide and varied menu at very
reasonable prices and a very warm reception.
The Port
The port
shelters some old riggings which contribute, with the old water
mill, to give an impression of a bye-gone age.
Face to the port, we
recommend a very good restaurant for sea food and
products of the "terroir".
Restaurant "Le p'tit
phare"
44, rue du port
17113 Mornac-sur-Seudre
Phone : 05.46.22.62.22
web site
Walk from the port to the Seudre
From the port, take the small road on
the right-hand side which goes along the canal.
As the road continues, the oyster huts
become less numerous and one is quickly surrounded with oyster
'claires’ on the right and on the left, until arriving at the
Seudre.
This part of the marsh is very much
exploited for the production of oysters and by modern oyster
establishments, which look nothing like the traditional oyster
huts and which line the edge of the Seudre.
The landscape is very different at low
tide or high tide, as the tide comes in or as it ebbs away.
The canal and the Seudre change at
different times as well, sometimes very busy with passing boats
and at other times, quieter and more serene.
Whatever the time or whatever the
season, one can take advantage of the space, of the peace and
the luminosity that comes from the water, from the ground and
from the sky … |
