Port-d'Envaux

Port d'Envaux is a West commune with 1110 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Charente -Maritime in the Poitou -Charentes.

Location

Port d'Envaux located on the banks of the Charente at a height of 10 meters above sea level. inst in the historic cultural landscape of the Saintonge about 13 km ( driving distance ) north of Saintes and 37 kilometers southeast of Rochefort.

Demographics

In the 19th century the place had always 1300-1550 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 Port- d'Envaux.

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 ). Port d'Envaux 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. Many winegrowers are again gone over to the ' normal ' field management. Large parts of the municipal area is wooded and are used for forestry. Until the completion of a railway line in 1902, the river port of the town was an important trading center for wines or spirits from Cognac, for salt or limestone from the region, which were shipped in barges ( gabares ) to England. Accordingly, great was the number of commercial suppliers ( ship carpenter, canvas and rope makers, etc.).

History

On the history of the place, there are few information. The facts that the place has a Romanesque church and a medieval Prevogtei, however, suggest a long settling time, which probably dates back to the Gallo- Roman period.

Attractions

• The Romanesque-Gothic parish church ( Église Saint- Saturnin -de- Séchaud ) stems largely from the 12th century; it was partially rebuilt and expanded in the 15th and 19th centuries. From the original construction, the exterior walls of the nave, at the intermediate level of Vierungsturmes and the choir area with its apse come. Perhaps the Romanesque barrel vault had become damaged due to the width of the building - at least the church received in the 15th century a vestibule ( narthex ); Moreover, the nave was raised (the console frieze remained below the former eaves ), the windows of the nave were replaced and the interior of the church were - Gothic ribbed vault drafted - with the exception of the crossing. Most items of equipment from the 19th century.
• The late medieval building complex of ancient Prevogtei, the seat of the deputy royal judge and governor, about 50 meters is behind the choir of the church. Formerly the area was surrounded by a wall, parts of which are still preserved. In the courtyard stands up to the present day a dovecote ( pigeon ), that was reserved at that time only noble people.
• At the edge of a half -hectare green area Pré Valade are two naked washing places from the 19th century.
• About one kilometer north-west of the town is - at the site of an earlier building from which even the pigeon-house has been preserved from the year 1620 - the Château de Panloy, a building from the time of Louis XV .. Its construction took only two years ( 1770 - 1772); The client was the Baron de Saint- Dizant. In the late 19th century the then owner decided to increase the mansard roof, whereby the repräsentive overall impression was significantly increased. Major parts of the castle are recognized as a monument historique since 1983. The building now serves in part as a hotel; Parts can be visited on guided tours.