After quarrying ended in 1948, the former quarries of Crazannes became jungle-like stone gorges. The transition from extraction site to gorge landscape shapes the character of the place. Visitors can choose between two short routes with different ways of presenting the site; a longer hiking route, as well as the château and church, offer further topics.
Quarries: two short routes
The “Parcours des carriers” is a 650-metre guided, secured route through the former quarries. The “P'tit parcours de Genny” is 600 metres long and uses a staged presentation to explain the origins of the white stone, quarrying methods, and the local animal and plant life. The stated lengths differ by just 50 metres. So when choosing between them, the way the information is presented also matters: the guided tour is a feature of the Parcours des carriers, while the P'tit parcours focuses on its staged presentation and thematic content. This lets you weigh up the short distances and different themes.
Stone as a building material through history
Crazannes stone was used for roads and monuments such as the Arch of Germanicus in Saintes, and was exported around the world. The arch provides a specific point of reference for monumental architecture, while the worldwide exports broaden the perspective to the stone’s distribution. Together with the P'tit parcours, which explains the origins and quarrying methods of the white stone, this creates a thematic arc from extraction to the material’s use.
Château and church
The Château de Crazannes is nicknamed the “Château du Chat Botté” because Jules Gouffier, Count of Caravaz, inspired Charles Perrault’s Marquis de Carabas and the master of Puss in Boots. The château is partly classified as a “Monument historique” and partly listed as one. The Church of Sainte-Madeleine is a 12th-century building; its Romanesque chevet is characteristic of the Saintonge region. It stands above the source of the Freussin. These offer two different cultural perspectives: the inspiration behind the château’s nickname, and the church’s construction period, Romanesque style and location above the spring.
Natural setting and longer hike
The Crazannes quarries are located within an Espace Naturel Sensible (sensitive natural area) owned by the Charente-Maritime département. The département intended to establish a Refuge LPO Collectivités at the La Pierre de Crazannes site. The FFRandonnée list for Cœur de Saintonge includes a 10.5-kilometre hiking route from Crazannes to Port-d'Envaux. At 10.5 kilometres, this route is on a different scale from the 600- and 650-metre quarry paths; this lets you consider the distance you want separately from the choice of themes. Route details may be updated; check the latest information before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Bazauges, Saint-Ouen-d'Aunis, Romegoux, Saint-Thomas-de-Conac, Lagord, Saint-Jean-D'angély, Villars-En-Pons, Vert-Bois
For the broader travel overview: Charente-Maritime.
