Geay (Charente-Maritime)

Geay is a West commune with 692 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Charente -Maritime in the Poitou -Charentes.

Location

Geay lies at an altitude of about 25 meters above sea level. inst in the historic cultural landscape of the Saintonge about 21 km ( driving distance ) northwest of Saintes and 30 kilometers southeast of Rochefort.

Demographics

In the 19th century the place had always 570-840 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 Geay.

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 ). Geay 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 goes back probably to the Gallo Roman period.

Attractions

• The Romanesque parish church ( Église Saint -Vivien ) stems largely from the 12th century. While the western facade is completely unadorned and rather reminiscent of a stopgap, choir bays and polygonal broken apse are well developed and include the most impressive has to offer the Romanesque architecture of Saintonge in this regard (see the churches of Rioux and Rétaud ): in the lower level there are wide entablature, in the appropriate fields of the mid-level narrow windows are recessed, which are framed by blind arches with little columns set. The upper level fields are occupied by triple arcades. In the vertical dominated by bead-like cornices cranked service templates. Inside the church nave and choir area are each nave and barrel vaults; the crossing is increased by blind arcades and is transferred via squinches in an octagon, which in a - flush dome - open at the apex. The church is recognized as a monument historique since 1907.
• To the east of the town is a castle (château ) from the end of the 16th century. It is privately owned and is not open to visitors. Major parts of the castle buildings are recognized as a monument historique since 1983.