Mortiers can be explored in a variety of ways: the main construction phase of the Église Saint-Martin dates back to the 12th century. At the Plan d’eau de Mortiers, there is a shelter with tables and a washhouse; fishing is also possible there. Other options include the Le Pharaon trout fishing stretch and the marked Circuit pédestre Mémorial - Le Frankton. If you are looking for accommodation, you might first consider whether cultural history, fishing or hiking will be the main focus of your stay.
The Église Saint-Martin: Building History and Architecture
The main construction phase of the Église Saint-Martin dates to the 12th century. By decree of 5 December 2000, it was listed as a protected historic monument. The two dates refer to different aspects: the 12th century places the church’s construction history in context, while the 2000 decree establishes its protected status.
Originally, the Église Saint-Martin had a single-aisle nave, a flat-ended chancel and a group of three windows. A single-aisle nave has no side aisles; the flat-ended chancel describes the end of the chancel, and a group of three windows refers to an arrangement of three windows. Together, these features give an idea of the building’s original layout and design. Those interested in Romanesque architecture will find specific features here that help distinguish the nave, chancel ending and window arrangement.
Fishing and a Visit to the Plan d’eau
The Plan d’eau de Mortiers can be visited at any time, individually and free of charge. On site, there is a shelter with tables and a washhouse; fishing is also possible. This means you can combine a visit to the water with different interests, from spending time by the pond to fishing. As the facilities may change, check their condition in advance if they are important to your plans. You should also verify the information about individual, free visits again before travelling.
Another fishing option is the Le Pharaon trout fishing stretch. It runs from the Bapaille bridge in Mortiers to the hamlet of Le Geay in Léoville. Unlike the Plan d’eau, this is a stretch with two specific endpoints. When planning, it is therefore helpful to distinguish between fishing at the pond and trout fishing along this stretch. Check the fishing regulations and seasonal conditions in effect before setting out.
The Circuit pédestre Mémorial - Le Frankton
The marked Circuit pédestre Mémorial - Le Frankton memorial hiking trail is 39 kilometres long and passes through Mortiers and other villages in Haute-Saintonge. It is accessible every day throughout the year. The distance gives the hike a clear scale: you can consider Mortiers in terms of a longer marked route, rather than treating the trail as equivalent to a single visit to the Plan d’eau.
These are different ways to plan your visit: at the Plan d’eau, the focus is on an individual visit and the fishing available there; for the Circuit, the 39-kilometre hiking route is the main attraction. The Église Saint-Martin offers a different focus, with its building history and the architectural features described here providing a point of reference for the area’s cultural history.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Pierre-De-Juillers, Saint-Porchaire, Vergné, St-Pierre De Pérignac, Angoulins-Sur-Mer, Dompierre-Sur-Charente, Bouhet, Fléac-sur-Seugne.
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