Attractions and Places To See around Donnezac - Top 13

This lake was once a swamp area. It became a recreational area between 1981 and 1984. This site is a natural area of ecological, faunal and floristic interest, where we discover vegetation specific to swamps and peat bogs, in particular typical acidophilic plants but also a multitude of invertebrates which are only found in peaty environments: spiders, dragonflies and butterflies including the Sedge Fadet; it is a biotope very favorable to the reproduction of certain amphibians, birds (Harriers, Eurasian Curlew), and mammals (European Otter and European Mink). You can swim, there are slides and boats and kayaks to rent.

Beautiful railway track cycle path between Blaye and Etauliers.

The high octagonal tower of the bell tower consists of two floors. The first is embellished on each side with two high blind bays. The second finished in the Gothic period is added by eight large windows. The inner curve of each is cut into small lobes reminiscent of the Moorish style. During the construction of the facade, the nave was shortened by one bay. In the 14th century ogival style, the arched portal with arches is accompanied by a trefoil window underlined by a checkered cornice. The square chevet has preserved in the masonry old parts of the semi-circular chevet of Romanesque origin: remains of arcades on columns with capitals, remains of cornices and windows. The old bay in front of the choir is remarkable for the quality of the sculptures of the Romanesque capitals. One represents a shrine on an altar guarded by two figures. According to C. Connoué, it is an original subject for Saintonge which would have its similar in the church of Notre-Dame-de-Soulac (Gironde). The shrine represents a church whose two-storey bell tower has a conical roof like that of the Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes or closer to Rouffignac, Nieul-Ie-Virouil. The scene is framed by two large chandeliers, furniture that is rarely represented in Saintonge sculpture. On another capital, Adam and Eve are represented after the original sin in silly niches drawn by small trees, including that of Good and Evil. Another shows birds in leaves, a subject that is also treated in the church of Grézac or in that of Jarnac-Champagne. Outside, the Romanesque chevet is punctuated by engaged columns of decreasing section.

This cycle path was completely renovated in 2019. The old railway line leads to the entrance to the citadel of Blaye.

The only downside not a single bench or picnic table

The church of Saint-Pierre depended in the 14th century on the abbey of La Couronne (Charente). Of Romanesque origin (12th and 13th centuries), it has suffered numerous damages and many restorations have taken place. The gable facade is pierced in its central axis by an early 16th century portal with a grooved arch, framed by prismatic tori and flanked by two blind bays. The whole is surmounted by a rose window. The side walls are perforated with narrow openings, some of which are underlined with a diamond-point cord. The 12th century building has a single nave with a trefoil choir. The semi-circular chevet is decorated with a chamfered cornice decorated with zigzags on brackets engraved with various subjects. Many engraved names accompanied by dates from the 18th century are visible on the bedside wall. The interior of the nave is covered with a semi-circular barrel vault. On the south side, a 16th century crypt is occupied by a tomb decorated in the flamboyant style. The two apsidioles vaulted in cul-de-four give the church a trefoil plan. The square of the transept supported the old bell tower. All that remains are back-to-back columns adorned with claw bases and worked grooves. The sculptures accompanying the pilasters are modern. The bell tower was redone in concrete with an external staircase in place of the previous one, which itself replaced the original bell tower, which fell in the 1950s. Under the modern, octagonal bell tower, there is a mass of columns with ornate capitals and bases (foliage, animals, colorful characters). The choir is barrel-vaulted with a semi-circular arch. The chancel columns are also adorned with claw bases on the north side and flutes on the south side. The cul-de-four apse is openworked with three similar windows with small columns. Paintings of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul. Tomb with recumbent in the habit of an ecclesiastic whose head and hands have been destroyed. The Saint-Pierre church was classified as a historical monument in 1970.

The cycle path leaves from Blaye and crosses the vineyard of Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux to Etauliers (or the reverse) for about 13 km (26 km round trip). It is part of the V80 or the Canal des Deux Mers à Vélo route. An excellent way for adults and children to discover the heritage of our region in peace. A real greenway (with lots of shaded parts) it is suitable for learning to ride a bike with small children. .. the ideal family outing by definition! Note that pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela often take it before stopping at Blaye…. and enjoy a good glass of wine (from Blaye, of course) to recover from the fatigue of the day!!!

Built in the 12th century on the plan of a Latin cross, the church of Rouffignac was completely rebuilt in the 14th century. All that remains of the Romanesque period is a part of the heart and the stump of the bell tower.