Beurlay brings together the history of Galette Charentaise, Sainte-Madeleine Church, and a circular walking trail. Culinary craftsmanship, Romanesque architecture, and walking offer different points of interest. If you are looking for a hotel in Beurlay, you can use these themes as a starting point and decide which one you would like to shape your stay.

Galette Charentaise and its production

The Beurlay Pâtisserie was founded in 1848 by the Barraud family. It was among the first producers of the “authentic Galette Charentaise,” flavored with a hint of angelica. This brings together the history of a local business and a specific description of the specialty.

The pâtisserie offers group tours of its factory. Visitors are shown how Galettes Charentaises are made, from kneading and baking through to packaging. The tour therefore covers the production process, not just the finished specialty. As booking conditions may change, it is advisable to check them before making plans.

Church and local history

Sainte-Madeleine Church dates from the 12th century. Its Romanesque chancel termination features three superimposed tiers. The bell tower, positioned to one side, is unusual; a chapel is located on the ground floor. “Tiers” here describes the stepped arrangement of the chancel termination; the tower’s position and the chapel are additional distinct features.

As early as 1153, Beurlay was among the possessions of Saintes Abbey. The present-day commune was formed in 1824 through its merger with Saint-Thomas-du-Bois; ruins of the church there remain. In 1832, explorer René Caillé bought a house in Beurlay and became a farmer there.

Washhouses, mill, and circular walking trail

There are six washhouses in Beurlay’s town center: two below the church and four below the Freussin. The Lavoir de la Fontaine Sainte-Madeleine is below the church. Sainte-Madeleine thus comes up in two contexts: as a building with a Romanesque chancel termination and a side bell tower, and as a reference point for two washhouses below the church. There are twice as many washhouses below the Freussin as below the church.

The Moulin Rouge tower windmill was inaugurated on June 17, 2007.

The “Du Freussin au four à pain à Beurlay et Sainte-Radegonde” circular walking trail is 17.51 km long and is associated with Beurlay and Sainte-Radegonde. It starts and ends at the church parking lot in Beurlay. Its name mentions both places, while the actual start and end point is in Beurlay. It is advisable to check trail conditions before setting off.

At a stated length of 17.51 km, the loop is a standalone hiking option; the church, washhouses, and mill are individual points of cultural and historical interest. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose whether to focus on the route itself or on a local architectural or historical topic.

Discover more destinations: Soulignonne, Saint-Savinien, Trizay, Courpignac, Saujon, Crazannes, Saint-Palais-Sur-Mer, Port-D'envaux.

Go to the overview of the wider area: Charente-Maritime.