Saint-Léger, Charente-Maritime

Saint -Léger (also Saint -Léger -en -Pons ) is a southwestern French village with 609 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Charente -Maritime in the Poitou -Charentes.

Location

Saint -Léger is located at a height of about 50 meters above sea level. inst about 17 km ( driving distance ) south of Saintes and seven kilometers north of Pons in the cultural landscape of the Saintonge. Other cities with impressive Romanesque churches are just a few kilometers away: Biron, Bougneau, Échebrune, Chadenac, Avy, Marignac and Others

Demographics

In the 19th century the place had 600-850 inhabitants, but due to the phylloxera crisis and the loss of jobs due to the increasing mechanization of agriculture has declined, the population continuously thereafter. Due to the proximity to the cities of Saintes and Pons and the cottages significantly lower Immbilienpreisen an increase in the population can be observed in the last few decades back.

Economy

The agriculture ( grain and wine) still plays the biggest role in the economic life of the community, part of the wine-growing region of Cognac Fins Bois in the region. Forestry is also not insignificant. In addition, tourism also form in the rental of apartments ( gîtes ) has become an important factor in the economic life of the community.

History

As can be inferred from the existence of a Romanesque church, Saint -Léger was also inhabited during the Middle Ages.

Attractions

Main attraction of Saint -Léger is the fortified seemingly partly Romanesque and partly Gothic parish church ( Église Saint -Léger ). The portal zone of the west facade is designed according to the usual scheme of the Charente triumphal arch with small side glare portals; it closes up into a console frieze. The middle window of the superjacent fünfbogigen arcades zone is comparatively large and served - given the extremely narrow embrasure -like side windows - very much to the exposure of the interior; the arches resting on pilasters and columns set. Even the arcade zone closes with a console frieze; the tympanum above it is unadorned. While the southern exterior wall looks bare and unwelcoming, the north side is broken up by high blind arches and brackets beneath the eaves. The eastern parts of the church were in the 15th century - possibly to repair damage or destruction during the Hundred Years' War ( 1337-1453 ) - re-designed: The building received a flat apse with a large Gothic tracery windows and a fortified tower -style on the north side; also the complete component was reinforced with mighty buttresses. The church was recognized in 1931 as a monument historique.