Discover Cercoux

Cercoux offers several distinct points of interest to help you plan your trip: the Romanesque Church of Saint-Saturnin, the landscape along the Le Lary river, and municipal information about walking and horse-riding opportunities. These local attractions range from historic architecture and former milling activities to practical information about horse care and riding lessons.

Culture: Saint-Saturnin and Moulin-Pocquet

The Romanesque Church of Saint-Saturnin in Cercoux and the 18th-century altarpiece in the Chapel of the Virgin Mary have been jointly classified as a historic monument since 15 April 1980. Traces of three pointed-arch windows remain in the church’s chancel wall. Saint-Saturnin also contains a painted and gilded 18th-century altarpiece of the Virgin Mary. Architectural history and a specific piece of church furnishings stand side by side: the surviving traces of the windows and the decorated altarpiece.

Moulin-Pocquet is associated with a former grain mill that later became the Motard flour mill. Cercoux’s cultural highlights therefore encompass different aspects of local history: Saint-Saturnin represents sacred architecture, while Moulin-Pocquet represents the area’s former milling activity. Those interested in local history will find more than a single building to explore.

Le Lary and the landscape of the Double Saintongeaise

The valley of the Le Lary river shapes the landscape of Cercoux along the eastern municipal boundary. The La Combe du Loup quarry offers another landscape feature: it lies on the wooded plateau of the Double Saintongeaise. There, small hills and valleys alternate with numerous natural and artificial ponds. The river valley and wooded plateau represent distinct landscape forms that define the area’s rural character. If the landscape is important to your trip, you can consider it as a separate theme alongside the historic buildings.

Walking and horse riding

Cercoux provides information for walkers about the Plan départemental des itinéraires de promenade et de randonnées (PDIPR), the departmental plan for walking and hiking routes. Horse-riding routes can also be put together to suit your preferences. The municipal documents containing this walking and horse-riding information are dated September 2022; check for the latest information when planning your specific activities.

Riding lessons are regularly offered at Les Écuries du Sansoucy on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you would like to include a lesson in your travel plans, check the schedule before you arrive. Riding trails for outings also lead directly from Les Écuries du Sansoucy; confirm access in advance. The options offer different experiences: individually tailored riding routes, regular lessons, or an outing on the trails leading from the stables.

The horse-rider rest stop at Étang de Levrault has a 20 m² shelter, tie-up rails for horses, a picnic table and a waste bin. Check the condition of the facilities before your visit. This information is particularly useful if horse riding is a central part of your stay and you would like to plan a place to rest as well as your route.

Information for festival visitors

For visitors attending the 2026 edition of the festival, arrival in Cercoux is directed to the festival car park on Route de la Chaume des Landes (D261). This information applies to the specified edition and can be taken into account when planning a visit for that event.

Discover more destinations: La Genétouze, Les Mathes, Loulay, Chaillevette, Crazannes, Saint-Crépin, Vandré, Thénac.

For the wider travel overview: Charente-Maritime.