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.
The tavern
pigeon loft
Church of Saint Peter
Golden Carreau Footbridge
Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin
Eglise Saint Martin
Ballon Town Hall and Bell
Old market halls
Saint Nicholas Church
Church of Saint Crepin
Town Hall of Saint Jean de Liversay
The stone bridge
Eglise Saint Médard
The brickworks
Grace God Abbey
Church of Saint-Ouen
Vandre swimming pool
Tower of the Six Fools
Old Legends
Bazoin dam and locks
Commemorative plaque
Saint Mary Magdalene Church
Saint Laurent Church
Agricultural Cooperative Flour Mill
Church of Saint-Vivien
Archaeological site - Gallo Roman Villa
Faymoreau Mining Center
Church of Saint Peter in Links
House of the Master of Dikes
Town Hall-School
Church of Saint Beatrice and its altarpiece
Church of Saint Peter
Town Hall of Aigrefeuille d'Aunis
Eglise Saint Martin
Saint Cyriaque Church
Holy Trinity Church
Aigrefeuille - Le Thou Station
Church of Saint Peter
Eglise Saint Martin
Milling House
Chapel of Our Lady of the Fields
Former dairy
Wash house of Saint Germain de Marencennes
Vandré wash house
Church of Saint John
Balance shaft
Saint Germain Church
"Brouage is showing off!" (Food hall)
The wash house known as "le Marot"
Church of Saint Jacques du Cher
Eglise Saint Etienne
Church of Saint Peter
Port of Pavé
Micro-Madness of Surgères
Sazay Lock
Bonde de Réhon
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
The Washhouse Room and Surgères Cold
Goyou Wash House
Church of Saint Peter
Church of the Transfiguration
Saint Georges Church
Church of Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens
Saint Laurent Church
Eglise Saint André
The Cognac Ecomuseum
Notre Dame Church
The bread oven of Dissé
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
The Prise Wash House
European Heritage Days - Vandre Museum
Ciré's Library
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
The covered market halls
Guesclin Tower
Mill of Beauregard
Dolmen la Pierre Levée
Tèrra Aventura - Surgères, inspire me!
Town Hall of Saint Georges du Bois
Château de la Roche Courbon
Church of Saint John the Baptist
House of the Marais Poitevin
Charras Canal
Notre Dame Church
Covered market, metal halls
Church of Saint Peter
Church of Saint-Vivien
Church of Saint Peter
Cooperative silo
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
Old port
Eglise Saint Saturnin
Vandre Museum 100 years ago
Renaissance door
Notre Dame Church
Saint Gerald Church
Buzay Castle
Eglise Saint Etienne
Church of Saint-Nazaire
Panloy Castle
Tèrra Aventura - Who steals an egg...
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
Old watering trough
Saint Laurent Church
Notre Dame Church
