RoutesBike touring routes & trailsFranceNew AquitaineSaintesCozes
Saint-Pierre Church of Cozes – Chateau de Didonne loop from Cozes
RoutesBike touring routes & trailsFranceNew AquitaineSaintesCozes
Saint-Pierre Church of Cozes – Chateau de Didonne loop from Cozes
Moderate
11
riders
Saint-Pierre Church of Cozes – Chateau de Didonne loop from Cozes
02:21
33.6km
220m
Cycling
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: June 21, 2026
Tips
Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted
After 25.9 km for 58 m
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1
706 m
Saint-Pierre Church of Cozes
Highlight • Religious Site
The project: Save the medieval church of Cozes
Support this restoration project for the Saint-Pierre church in Cozes, built from the 12th century onwards. Listed as a historic monument, this building is in a worrying state of preservation. In 2018, the building, which was suffering from a sagging roof and water infiltration, was closed; the rehabilitation work, estimated at €2.5 million, will have to be spread over several years.
In 2020, the church was one of twelve sites in Nouvelle-Aquitaine selected to benefit from the Heritage Lottery and will receive €140,000 from Stéphane Bern's Heritage Mission.
A first round of urgent work on the south aisle took place in 2020-2021. Thanks to donations, this initial preservation work has raised over €61,000.
A second phase of work will begin in September 2024 for the restoration of the bell tower and staircase turret.
"I am delighted to welcome you back for our sponsorship campaign for the restoration of the Saint-Pierre de Cozes church. Since 2020, your generosity has enabled significant progress in the preservation of this historic monument. Thanks to the support of over 200 donors (individuals, local and national businesses, foundations, etc.), we have achieved exceptional work together.
After the first urgent phase of work carried out in 2020-2021 on the south aisle, we must now focus our efforts on the second and third phases of work relating to the exterior restoration of the bell tower and staircase turret." This work, estimated to last approximately 18 months, starting in September 2024, requires a total budget of €1,017,500.
Our goal is to raise €100,000 in donations to supplement local government grants and ensure the completion of this crucial work.
I would also like to acknowledge the ephemeral works of art that have marked our sponsorship campaign: beach art by Jben, the Elise Bachour concert, the ice sculpture by the Lopez confectionery, and many other initiatives have attracted an ever-growing audience. The 7th grade students from Les Vielles Vignes middle school in Cozes also joined our cause: each of them created a drawing inspired by the fable of the Fox and the Stork to illustrate our fundraising campaign, and they created a large collective mural on the wall of their middle school, thus demonstrating their commitment to our heritage. As a local business, your participation is of paramount importance. By supporting our project, you strengthen your corporate social responsibility (CSR) and your civic image while developing a meaningful partnership with the municipality of Cozes.
Join us in this noble adventure that contributes to the preservation of our heritage, the local economy, and the attractiveness of our region!
With my sincere thanks.
Grazielle Bordage
Mayor of Cozes
Support this restoration project for the Saint-Pierre church in Cozes, built from the 12th century onwards. Listed as a historic monument, this building is in a worrying state of preservation. In 2018, the building, which was suffering from a sagging roof and water infiltration, was closed; the rehabilitation work, estimated at €2.5 million, will have to be spread over several years.
In 2020, the church was one of twelve sites in Nouvelle-Aquitaine selected to benefit from the Heritage Lottery and will receive €140,000 from Stéphane Bern's Heritage Mission.
A first round of urgent work on the south aisle took place in 2020-2021. Thanks to donations, this initial preservation work has raised over €61,000.
A second phase of work will begin in September 2024 for the restoration of the bell tower and staircase turret.
"I am delighted to welcome you back for our sponsorship campaign for the restoration of the Saint-Pierre de Cozes church. Since 2020, your generosity has enabled significant progress in the preservation of this historic monument. Thanks to the support of over 200 donors (individuals, local and national businesses, foundations, etc.), we have achieved exceptional work together.
After the first urgent phase of work carried out in 2020-2021 on the south aisle, we must now focus our efforts on the second and third phases of work relating to the exterior restoration of the bell tower and staircase turret." This work, estimated to last approximately 18 months, starting in September 2024, requires a total budget of €1,017,500.
Our goal is to raise €100,000 in donations to supplement local government grants and ensure the completion of this crucial work.
I would also like to acknowledge the ephemeral works of art that have marked our sponsorship campaign: beach art by Jben, the Elise Bachour concert, the ice sculpture by the Lopez confectionery, and many other initiatives have attracted an ever-growing audience. The 7th grade students from Les Vielles Vignes middle school in Cozes also joined our cause: each of them created a drawing inspired by the fable of the Fox and the Stork to illustrate our fundraising campaign, and they created a large collective mural on the wall of their middle school, thus demonstrating their commitment to our heritage. As a local business, your participation is of paramount importance. By supporting our project, you strengthen your corporate social responsibility (CSR) and your civic image while developing a meaningful partnership with the municipality of Cozes.
Join us in this noble adventure that contributes to the preservation of our heritage, the local economy, and the attractiveness of our region!
With my sincere thanks.
Grazielle Bordage
Mayor of Cozes
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2
1.00 km
Capital of the Fable of the Fox and the Stork – Saint-Pierre Church of Cozes
Highlight • Religious Site
Originally dependent on the Augustan abbey of Mortagne-sur-Gironde, the church of Saint-Pierre de Cozes is now part of a group of bell towers: "Notre Dame de l'Estuaire".
This building erected in the 12th century was greatly altered over the following centuries: collapses, fires, destructions, reconstructions and enlargements followed one another, juxtaposing styles.
This building erected in the 12th century was greatly altered over the following centuries: collapses, fires, destructions, reconstructions and enlargements followed one another, juxtaposing styles.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7.95 km
Les Bois de la Croix
Forest
8.58 km
Bois de la Grosse Pierre
Forest
5
25.9 km
A population little concerned by the reconstruction of the church
Highlight • Other
February 1771: Count de Senecterre, owner of the Château de Didonne, proposed to the people of Semussac the reconstruction of the church. Few people showed interest, and the ten who remained to deliberate thought it would be better to repair the parish church while keeping it as it was. However, they agreed to demolish it entirely, along with the bell tower, and rebuild everything from scratch according to a plan to be agreed upon. Entremondit, Lord Count de Senecterre, the said prior, and four notables from Bemuses, to whom they gave full powers for this purpose, provided that it be within the boundaries of the old church and the adjoining cemetery and that the said church could accommodate the same number of people as the current church... and that, furthermore,...usable materials from the old one would be used first. (Departmental Archives of Charente-Maritime)
The Count of Senecterre considered that a decision taken by such a small number of people was unacceptable. The inhabitants gathered in a chapter assembly on Sunday, April 2, 1771, agreed that the church be demolished and replaced by a new building, which would be completed in 1774.
Etienne la Sale notes in the parish registers: Today, November 22, 1774, the blessing of the new church of Saint Etienne de Semussac was held, built with the care and expense of Mr. Etienne de la Sale, Prior of Semussac, the Count of Senecterre, and the inhabitants and tenants of the said parish. This blessing was performed by Mr. Vanson, parish priest and archpriest of Arvers, and the ecclesiastical curates, who attended and signed. for a mission, having been granted by the Bishop of Saintes on November 14, 1774.
(Excerpt from Frédéric Chasseboeuf's book, Le Château de Didonne)
The Count of Senecterre considered that a decision taken by such a small number of people was unacceptable. The inhabitants gathered in a chapter assembly on Sunday, April 2, 1771, agreed that the church be demolished and replaced by a new building, which would be completed in 1774.
Etienne la Sale notes in the parish registers: Today, November 22, 1774, the blessing of the new church of Saint Etienne de Semussac was held, built with the care and expense of Mr. Etienne de la Sale, Prior of Semussac, the Count of Senecterre, and the inhabitants and tenants of the said parish. This blessing was performed by Mr. Vanson, parish priest and archpriest of Arvers, and the ecclesiastical curates, who attended and signed. for a mission, having been granted by the Bishop of Saintes on November 14, 1774.
(Excerpt from Frédéric Chasseboeuf's book, Le Château de Didonne)
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6
27.0 km
Chateau de Didonne
Highlight • Other
Architectural features
- Large residence in the classic Saintongeais style
- Significant agricultural outbuildings
- Preserved old cylindrical dovecote
- 19th-century tree-lined park
History of Semussac Castle (Château de Didonne)
- Medieval origins
The estate already existed in the 15th century under the name of La Touche, belonging to the lordship of Didonne. It then belonged to various local noble families before passing through alliances and sales into several hands.
- Reconstruction in the 18th century
The current castle was essentially built in the first half of the 18th century, around 1730, probably by Marie de Bechillon or her son, the Marquis de Sénectère. The latter made it his main country residence. He considerably enlarged his lands throughout the Royan and Saintonge region.
- 19th century: transformation of the estate
After the French Revolution, the property was sold as national property. It then passed to Count Alfred de La Grendière, mayor of Semussac and then mayor of Royan, who modified the castle and gave it its current appearance, with an English-style landscaped park.
- 20th century: agricultural and tourist vocation
In 1979, the estate was bought by the agricultural cooperative Cozes-Saujon to promote local productions, particularly wine.
In 1981, a museum of agricultural equipment opened in the outbuildings and remained active until 2006.
Subsequently, the site was converted into a charming hotel-restaurant. Completely renovated in 2019, the Château de Didonne opens its doors to welcome you between the charm of the old and the comfort of the modern. It has 10 air-conditioned rooms, 7 of which offer a breathtaking view of the park, allowing you to immerse yourself in a soothing natural setting from the moment you wake up.
Local importance
The castle bears witness to the agricultural and noble role of Semussac in old Saintonge, between Royan and the Gironde estuary.
- Large residence in the classic Saintongeais style
- Significant agricultural outbuildings
- Preserved old cylindrical dovecote
- 19th-century tree-lined park
History of Semussac Castle (Château de Didonne)
- Medieval origins
The estate already existed in the 15th century under the name of La Touche, belonging to the lordship of Didonne. It then belonged to various local noble families before passing through alliances and sales into several hands.
- Reconstruction in the 18th century
The current castle was essentially built in the first half of the 18th century, around 1730, probably by Marie de Bechillon or her son, the Marquis de Sénectère. The latter made it his main country residence. He considerably enlarged his lands throughout the Royan and Saintonge region.
- 19th century: transformation of the estate
After the French Revolution, the property was sold as national property. It then passed to Count Alfred de La Grendière, mayor of Semussac and then mayor of Royan, who modified the castle and gave it its current appearance, with an English-style landscaped park.
- 20th century: agricultural and tourist vocation
In 1979, the estate was bought by the agricultural cooperative Cozes-Saujon to promote local productions, particularly wine.
In 1981, a museum of agricultural equipment opened in the outbuildings and remained active until 2006.
Subsequently, the site was converted into a charming hotel-restaurant. Completely renovated in 2019, the Château de Didonne opens its doors to welcome you between the charm of the old and the comfort of the modern. It has 10 air-conditioned rooms, 7 of which offer a breathtaking view of the park, allowing you to immerse yourself in a soothing natural setting from the moment you wake up.
Local importance
The castle bears witness to the agricultural and noble role of Semussac in old Saintonge, between Royan and the Gironde estuary.
Showing Translation
Tip by
B
33.6 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
20.8 km
7.82 km
4.45 km
544 m
< 100 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
13.3 km
12.2 km
7.75 km
447 m
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Elevation
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Highest point (50 m)
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Weather
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Friday 10 July
37°C
22°C
0 %
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