Rioux

Rioux is a southern French village with 928 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Charente -Maritime in the Poitou -Charentes.

Location

The place is located in Saintonge about 15 km ( driving distance ) south-west of Saintes and about 34 kilometers east of the Gironde estuary at Royan. The neighboring municipality Rétaud with the very similar church Saint- Trojan is just 5 kilometers north.

Demographics

Economy

For the surrounding rural communities Rioux was in the Middle Ages as the central market and the artisan village of importance. Agriculture and viticulture are indispensable today from the economic life of the village. Since the 1980s, tourism has been added ( Rentals ) as a source of income.

History

About the history of Rioux is virtually nothing known or published. In any case, the former Priory of Notre Dame as a core for the emergence and development of the town is likely to have played a significant role.

Attractions

Church of Notre -Dame

Other

• A " Hosanna Cross" ( Croix Hosannière ) from the year 1188 was formerly possibly in the cemetery; This, however, was laid in the 17th or 18th century, and so the cross stands freely on the southern edge of the village. About a powerful platform consisting of four concentric stone circles of decreasing diameter (about 2.10 m to 1.60 m) and a cylindrical base ( 0.60 m diameter) rises the composite of four larger and four smaller small columns shaft of the monument which is reminiscent in some ways of the dead lantern ( lanterne des morts ) in Fenioux. There is a Tatzenkreuz at the top. One local lore According gathered here the church on Palm Sunday to - with branches in their hands - ' Hosanna ' to shout or sing.
• The 14 wooden pillars resting on the market hall ( hall ) dates from the late Middle Ages (15th century) but was thoroughly renovated in the 19th century. It served to place not only on market days, but also in parties and other gatherings as a central and especially weather-proof place.
• The Château de Rioux is located about two kilometers to the north. On the site was possibly a medieval castle, which was, however, rebuilt in the 15th century and in the early 17th and 18th century to a quite respectable manor. Striking the two round towers, one of which has a conical pointed roof, while the other ends in a platform with surrounding parapet. The Château was established in 1965 as a monument historique recognized, however, is privately owned.