The best road cycling routes around Jarnac-Champagne

The site of La Baine, in Chaniers, predates the current mill. 14th century: the first attested mills A document dated 1310 mentions cloth mills at La Baine. They were built on piles driven into the riverbed and were used, among other things, for fulling fabrics. These mills then belonged to the dean and chapter of the cathedral of Saintes. They had been destroyed a few years earlier by the Count of la Marche. In 1313, the chapter obtained authorization to rebuild two mills, a weir, and a fishery. 17th century: Colbert's royal mill It was in the 17th century that La Baine gained considerable importance. A complex of five wheat mills was rebuilt on a secondary branch of the Charente, which was not used for navigation. Around 1630, the mills belonged to the brothers Charles and Jacques Duval, who held the beneficial ownership, while the lordship of Chaniers was under the chapter of the Saint-Pierre de Saintes cathedral. Then came Jean-Baptiste Colbert, minister to Louis XIV and Secretary of State for the Navy. Around 1670, Colbert had the mill redeveloped and enlarged to considerably increase its production capacity. The new complex had seven water passages and thus became one of the most powerful mills in the region. Why was Colbert interested in La Baine? The reason was directly linked to the creation and development of the Rochefort arsenal. The mill primarily produced wheat and barley flour intended for the sustenance of the Royal Navy sailors. The grains arrived via the Charente aboard gabares (flat-bottomed barges). After delivering their cargo to the mill, the gabares departed with the flour destined, among other places, for Rochefort. The mill of La Baine was therefore part of a true royal industrial and logistical system organized around the Charente and Rochefort. 19th century: gradual transformation In the 19th century, milling activity continued. The old mills gradually became a true industrial establishment. In 1845, the site was operated by five different millers. From 1897, the complex was gradually brought together by Mr. Lardy, who modernized the facilities and introduced machinery. His son Rémy Lardy succeeded him. 20th century: the flour mill In the 1930s, the mill had become a true industrial flour mill. Its capacity reached about 50 quintals of wheat per day. In 1936, the hydraulic power was supplied by several wheels about 5 meters in diameter. The total water intake was about 4 meters, with a head of 1.50 meters. The facilities included, among other things: two double grinders; a double converter; a pair of millstones; a plansichter; five purifiers. Milling activity finally ceased in the mid-20th century, with sources placing the end of industrial activity around the years 1940-1960, depending on whether one refers to the flour mill or the complete disappearance of milling activity. Today The building has been preserved and transformed into a restaurant, while retaining remarkable elements of its industrial past, notably the wheel and part of the old machinery. The Moulin de la Baine is now located at 14 rue Colbert, 17610 Chaniers, directly above the Charente. A particularly interesting point The mill, the dam, and the locks form an inseparable historical ensemble. The current dam has, however, undergone modern transformations: a prefectural decree from 2012 classifies the hydraulic structure of the Moulin de La Baine as a Class D dam, among other things.

Magnificent port

Historic barn in the coastal lowland pastures along the Maubert channel

nice little hike

Good selection of restaurants, however if like us you want to create your own lunch the supermarket is 10 minutes up hill on your bicycle.

magnificent place full of calm, on the edge of the estuary of the gironde and the limestone cliffs.

Built in the 11th and 12th centuries, this church, listed as a historic monument in 1912, is a spectacular work of art. Well worth the drive past when crossing town!

The Mortagne-sur-Gironde marina is located in the Charente-MaritimeAddress 9, place Parias 17120 Mortagne-sur-Gironde - GPS position-0.793356, 45.477200 - Landline: 05 46 90 63 15 - Mobile: 06 43 48 91 93 - VHF channel: 9 - Harbor master: Stéphane Donot The port of Mortagne-sur-Gironde has a capacity of 150 boats on pontoons but also a visitor area for stopovers with 20 places available. It is reserved for boats under 19 m. Attention, the maximum draft is 4 m. The depth of the outer harbor is 2.5 m (average tides) with dredged channel, of the basin 4 m on average, of the channel 3 m (average tides). The voltage and intensity of the electrical terminals are 220 V/16 A on the quay and 220 V/6 A on the pontoon. Water on the pontoon. Ice cream available at the Café de la Rive. The amenities include: 4 toilets and 2 showers, 2 sinks, 2 washing tubs, WIFI. Guarding ashore and afloat. A beaching area is available: 2 slipways (including 1 slipway), Slip, Shipyard.