Church Sainte-Radegonde, Talmont-sur-Gironde, Poitou-Charentes, France
The Sainte-Radegonde church in Talmont-sur-Gironde overlooks the Gironde estuary, it is a superb testimony of Romanesque art in the Charente region (former province of Saintonge). Do not hesitate to visit this beautiful building and discover a piece of architectural history that has few testimonies as well preserved. The church was built by the Benedictine monks of the abbey of Saint-Jean d’Angély in the 12th century to make a stop on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. It replaces a first chapel erected in the 6th century and dedicated to Saint Radegonde, Queen of France.
The church will be generally well preserved knowing only two important developments. On the one hand, part of the church is fortified by the Duke of Aquitaine, King of England Edward I, in the 13th century he built a walkway above the apse. On the other hand, a storm carries a piece of cliff and the first two bays of the nave, a Gothic facade is rebuilt. You will, however, be able to admire the overall shape of the building, the north side facade (typical of Romanesque art Saintongeais) and the sculptures of its portal, the chevet, the interior of the church …. Then stroll through the marine cemetery and enjoy the view of the estuary.
The church Sainte Radegonde is located at the end of the village of Talmont sur Gironde which is also worth a visit (it was built on the model of the bastides of Aquitaine by Edward I in the 13th century). Talmont sur Gironde is on the north side of the Gironde estuary 15 kilometers south of Royan.
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