Aulnay: Churches, Archaeology and Local Culture

Aulnay brings together the history of churches and monuments with archaeological remains, trails and market life. When planning your stay, you can consider whether you are most interested in historic buildings, archaeological sites, a puzzle walk or local products. These different themes give your search for a hotel in Aulnay a clear starting point.

Church, keep and historic buildings

All that remains of the former castle of the Lords of Aulnay is the keep. The tower is partly protected as a historic monument. Its surviving section now houses a permanent exhibition about the Roman military camp at Aulnay. Opening hours vary by season; check the specific times before your trip.

The Église Saint-Pierre d’Aulnay was built in the 12th century. It is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the “Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France” and lies on the Via Turonensis between Melle and Saint-Jean-d’Angély. The churchyard also contains the 14th-century Hosanna Cross, which has been listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments since 1926. The church thus brings together architectural history, a pilgrimage route and heritage protection in different forms.

Le Colombier is another of Aulnay’s historic buildings: the 15th- or 16th-century dovecote belongs to the municipality. Restoration has preserved a large part of the building. Alongside the former keep, it is another historic structure in the town, with a history spanning a different period.

Archaeological sites in Aulnay

The Celtic-inspired temple in Aulnay dates from the 1st century BC and is considered one of the most important temples in Roman Aquitaine. A Gallo-Roman sanctuary was prepared for visits in 2013. These details offer different ways into the town’s ancient past: an early date on the one hand, and a sanctuary prepared for visitors on the other.

At an archaeological site in Aulnay, a wooden walkway allows visitors to explore. To preserve it, the site remains underground. The walkway and its protected location go hand in hand: visitors can explore the site while it remains preserved beneath the ground. Anyone interested in the interplay between archaeological discovery and preservation will find a distinct aspect of local history here.

Trails, a pilgrim station and summer evenings

For hikers, there is a pilgrim station in the town centre. Check whether it is available before you travel. Another way to explore Aulnay’s heritage is Tèrra Aventura: the geocaching walk covers several kilometres and combines puzzles with picturesque places, local heritage and anecdotes about Aulnay. Its stated distance and puzzle-based format make it a different way to engage with the town than visiting its historic buildings.

Les Voix d’Aulnay is also part of the cultural programme. In summer, the programme includes evenings of a cappella singing inside the Église Saint-Pierre. No fixed dates are provided, so check the specific event dates in advance. Leatherworking has also been part of Aulnay’s traditional craftsmanship for many years. It is part of the local craft tradition.

Market, regional products and garden

At Aulnay’s market, local vendors offer, among other things, fruit, vegetables, organic bread, charcuterie, cheese, fish, meat and seasonal flowers. Oysters can also be opened there and enjoyed on the terraces of local cafés. Market produce and oysters add a culinary connection to the town; the selection includes both fresh food and flowers that vary with the season.

The Jardin Médiéval adds a glimpse of the plant world, with vegetables and medicinal plants growing there. Together with leatherworking, the garden reveals a different side of local life from the town’s architectural and archaeological history. When planning your trip, you can weigh up cultural visits, trails and market offerings without needing to combine them into a single itinerary.

Getting there and finding a hotel

Aulnay can be reached via the A10 motorway, using exits 33 or 34, as well as via the RN 150 and the D 950. As routes may change, it is advisable to check your route before setting off. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, first decide what to focus on, such as the church and pilgrimage route, the archaeological remains or the puzzle walk.

Discover more destinations: Souméras, Le Fouilloux, La Couarde-Sur-Mer, La Rochelle, Saint-Séverin-sur-Boutonne, Saint-Crépin, Saint-Coutant-le-Grand, Saint-Cyr-du-Doret.

For the main travel overview: Charente-Maritime.