Nancras

Nancras is a West commune with 716 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Charente -Maritime in the Poitou -Charentes.

Location

Nancras lies at an altitude of about 30 meters above sea level. inst in the historic cultural landscape of the Saintonge about 20 km ( driving distance ) west of Saintes and 28 kilometers southeast of Rochefort.

Demographics

In the 19th century the place had always 300-550 inhabitants. The phylloxera crisis and the mechanization of agriculture led to a population decline, which could be stopped in the last few decades because of its proximity to the cities of Saintes and Rochefort, and the comparatively low rents and land prices in Nancras.

Economy

For centuries agriculture for the purpose of self-sufficiency of the population played the largest role in the economy of the community. But was grown in area since the Roman time, wine was distilled since the early modern period and exported to northern Europe ( esp. England ). Nancras one of the Bois ordinaires et communs of the vineyard Cognac, but most grapes are processed into wine and Pineau des Charentes because of marketing problems in cognac brandies.

History

The fact that the place has a Romanesque church, suggests a long settling time, which probably dates back to the Gallo- Roman period.

Attractions

• The Romanesque parish church ( Eglise de la Sainte Vierge de la Nativity, sometimes referred to simply as Église Notre -Dame) stems largely from the 13th and 14th centuries - that is, the period of transition from Romanesque to Gothic. She was formerly a transept and probably a central tower - both components are either collapsed or were in the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) destroyed. The small tower on the south side of the church may have been formerly the stair tower of the lost crossing tower - he still shows traces of the former transept and was raised in the 17th century by natural stone material. Also - unusual for the Saintonge - unadorned western facade suggests that the church was a yoke once more and was just poorly repaired and stabilized with powerful buttresses. Inside the single nave is covered with a wooden ceiling. The church is recognized as a monument historique since 1925.
• From the beginning of the 20th century, now restored source version come and wash area ( lavoir ) near the Church.