From prehistory to the present day, discover our heritage! The Aunis Marais Poitevin has a thousand-year-old history shaped by generations of women and men of character.
From the Marais to the dairy industry
The history of the Aunis Marais Poitevin is the story of the marshes, developed as early as the 7th century. It is the story of Surgères and its beautiful Hélène de Fonsèque; of Benon and its Tower of the Six Fools ; of the rise of the distillery; of the introduction of butter production . Finally, it is the story of the women and men who, through their tenacity or their birth, shaped our region.
A cultural and architectural heritage
The Aunis Marais Poitevin preserves many testimonies of its history. From Romanesque churches to rich bourgeois houses, including old wash houses and mills, each element tells a part of the local history. Push open the door of our chapels, look up at the facades, walk through our villages rich in centuries of life.
Routes to discover Surgères and Marans
At Le Comptoir Local®, two discovery trails are available to help you understand the rich history of Surgères and Marans! Immerse yourself in 19th-century local life in Surgères through its historic center and the walls of its castle. Discover the history of Marans and its medieval town, as well as its past as a trading center. These two trails can be picked up at one of our Comptoir Local stores or viewed online . For families, we recommend the fun and interactive Terra Aventura trails.

Nearby: Renaissance castles and history of the Marais Poitevin
Near the Aunis Marais Poitevin, explore the castles of the Charentes region, such as the Château de Buzay near La Rochelle, or those in the Charente Valley and the many treasures of the Charentes . In the Green Venice area, discover the sites to understand how the Marais Poitevin was shaped and how its inhabitants lived. From Aunis Romanesque art to nearby Renaissance castles, delve into the history and stories that have shaped our region.
Exhibition: Everyday Objects from the Early 20th Century
Vandré wash house
Wash house of Saint Germain de Marencennes
Saint Nicholas Church
Saint Laurent Church
Church of Saint John the Baptist
Church of the Transfiguration
European Heritage Days: an unusual visit to the Notre Dame church in Surgères
House of the Marais Poitevin
Eglise Saint Martin
Old port
Old Legends
Church of Saint-Vivien
Dolmen la Pierre Levée
Buzay Castle
Port of Pavé
Church of Saint Peter
The Cognac Ecomuseum
Church of Saint Crepin
Eglise Saint Martin
European Heritage Days: Guided tours of the medieval castle of Surgères
Panloy Castle
Church of Saint Peter
Sazay Lock
Renaissance door
Vandre Museum 100 years ago
pigeon loft
The Washhouse Room and Surgères Cold
Aigrefeuille - Le Thou Station
Archaeological site - Gallo Roman Villa
European Heritage Days: Opening of postcard exhibitions
Ballon Town Hall and Bell
Château de la Roche Courbon
Historical walk through the village - European Heritage Days
Cooperative silo
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
European Heritage Days - Vandre Museum
Notre Dame Church
Church of Saint Peter
Saint Georges Church
Town Hall-School
Notre Dame Church
Eglise Saint Etienne
Eglise Saint Martin
European Heritage Days: Guided tour of the park of the medieval castle of Surgères
Covered market, metal halls
Church of Saint Peter
European Heritage Days: Exhibition of "Treasures of the APPS and classic vehicles"
Town Hall of Saint Jean de Liversay
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
Saint Laurent Church
Old watering trough
Former dairy
Tèrra Aventura - Surgères, inspire me!
The tavern
Saint Gerald Church
Guesclin Tower
Notre Dame Church
Tèrra Aventura - Who steals an egg...
House of the Master of Dikes
The Prise Wash House
Eglise Saint Saturnin
Charras Canal
Saint Mary Magdalene Church
Church of Saint Peter in Links
Goyou Wash House
Faymoreau Mining Center
Old market halls
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
Commemorative plaque
Church of Saint-Nazaire
Church of Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens
Bazoin dam and locks
Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin
Town Hall of Saint Georges du Bois
Mill of Beauregard
Golden Carreau Footbridge
Church of Saint-Vivien
Saint Germain Church
"Brouage is showing off!" (Food hall)
Tower of the Six Fools
European Heritage Days: Outdoor exhibition of enlarged postcards
The bread oven of Dissé
European Heritage Days: Exhibition of old postcards
Sarcophagus
Church of Saint Beatrice and its altarpiece
Saint Laurent Church
Bonde de Réhon
The wash house known as "le Marot"
Church of Saint Peter
European Heritage Days
Church of Saint-Ouen
Town Hall of Aigrefeuille d'Aunis
Church of Saint Peter
The stone bridge
Milling House
Church of Saint John the Baptist
Vandre swimming pool
Eglise Saint Etienne
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
Balance shaft
Notre Dame Church
Saint Cyriaque Church
Micro-Madness of Surgères
Eglise Saint Médard
Agricultural Cooperative Flour Mill
Church of Saint Peter
Grace God Abbey
The covered market halls
The brickworks
Church of Saint Jacques du Cher
Ciré's Library
Eglise Saint André
Chapel of Our Lady of the Fields
