Talmont-sur-Gironde
A Medieval Bastide on the Estuary
Walking into Talmont feels like stepping back 700 years. The village is famous for its white-washed Saintongeais houses with their iconic blue and green shutters.
The Big Highlights
Sainte-Radegonde Church
A 12th-century Romanesque masterpiece perched on the cliff’s edge. Look for the marine cemetery next to it.
The Rampart Walk
Follow the old stone walls that once protected the town. You’ll see the traditional “Carrelets” (fishing huts).
Artisanal Shops
Rue du Port is lined with local craftspeople. Look for “Un Monde de Verre” for hand-spun glass jewellery.
The Small Port
Once a hub for sturgeon fishing, it’s now a quiet spot to watch the tide change across Europe’s largest estuary.
📸 The 4 Best Photo Spots in Talmont
The “Hollyhock Alley”
Frame the white houses and blue shutters with the tall pink Roses Trémières. Best in July and August.
The Cliffside Church
Capture the Romanesque arches against the massive backdrop of the gray-blue Gironde estuary.
The “Carrelets” View
From the northern ramparts, look down for a high-angle shot of the iconic fishing huts on stilts.
The Marine Cemetery
White stone crosses and wild flowers against the horizon. Incredibly peaceful and poetic.
A Journey Through Time
700 Years of Fortress & Faith
The English King’s Vision
Edward I purchased the rocky promontory to build a Bastide to control the Gironde estuary.
The Hundred Years’ War
Talmont changed hands several times before finally becoming French for good in 1451.
The Spanish Sabotage
Spanish troops blew up the ramparts. Most village houses today are built from those scavenged stones.
The Caviar Capital
Once a world-class center for sturgeon fishing, where caviar was sold for just a few francs.
Getting to Talmont-sur-Gironde
Routes from Chenac & Royan
By Car
From Chenac: Take the D145 west. From Royan: Follow the D25 south through Meschers.
By Bike
The “Canal des 2 Mers” path is a stunning 30-40 minute flat ride from Chenac.
