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Surgeres

Visit Surgeres, Poitou-Charentes

Surgeres is a quiet town on the banks of the Geres river and in the gentle countryside of the Poitou-Charentes region, to the east of La Rochelle in western France.

The town can trace its origins back to neolithic times and also to a roman settlement here, but it is the vestiges from the medieval period that are of interest to visitors today. These date largely from the time when Helene de Fonseque, maid of honour to Catherine de Medici, established her home here in Surgeres.

Exploring Surgeres

A quiet town a little off the tourist route, Surgeres town centre has an open central square and a couple of streets with all the usual 'small town' shops such as bakers, butchers and cafes. It is the section of the town a couple of hundred metres to the south that is of interest visitors.

Enter the castle grounds through the large tower called the Porche - originally there was a drawbridge here, and was the main access to the castle. Behind the old fortified wall of the castle there is an attractive 'garden park' area, which contains several interesting historic buildings.

Highlight among these is one of the finest roman style churches in the region, dating from the 11th century and with a facade containing numerous arches and some statues. Take a look at the clocktower, an unusual design with 16 columns then pass inside the church to see the decorative capital stones and other stone engravings.

Also within the gardens you can see a monumental gateway added in the 17th century and the 18th century Chateau de Surgeres, a manor house built on the site of the original medieval castle. Of the original castle you can still see a stone tower (the Tour Helene), and parts of the original castle ramparts.

There is also a carefully planted walled garden, and a large area of more open parkland which is ideal for a picnic. Behind the castle grounds you can take a walk along the banks of the river Geres,

Photos of Surgeres (click any picture to start the gallery)

Suggested places to visit near Surgeres, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Maillezais abbey 30km; La Rochelle 32km; Ile-d'Aix 34km; Nieul-sur-l'Autise 36km; Brouage 37km; Saintes 40km; Fontenay-le-Comte 41km; La Flotte-en-Re 45km; Ronce-les-Bains 46km; La Tremblade 48km; Mornac-sur-Seudre 48km; Melle 49km; Saint-Martin-de-Re 49km; Ile d'Oleron 49km; Ile de Re 52km; La Palmyre 52km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Surgeres

Surgeres tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Baie de l'Aiguillon - site of natural beauty (23km) : Eglise de Saint-Savinien (Fenioux) - religious monument (26km) : Eglise de Saint-Pierre (Dampierre-sur-Boutonne) - religious monument (26km) : Eglise de Notre-Dame de l'Assomption (Maille) - religious monument (27km) : Abbaye Saint Pierre et Eglise de Saint Nicolas (Maillezais) - religious monument (30km) : Eglise de Saint-Eulalie (Benet) - religious monument (31km) : La Roche Courbon - remarkable garden (31km) : Eglise de Saint Germain (Varaize) - religious monument (32km) :