Discover Chervettes

Chervettes brings together traces of cultural history and two different route options. The place name derives from terms in the Saintongeais language, some estates have enclosed courtyards associated with the area’s wine-growing origins, and the Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church has a clearly structured interior and a west façade with historic details. If you are looking for a hotel in Chervettes, these themes can help you understand the character of the destination. As for the routes, you can distinguish between the activities and the specific features of each route.

The Cultural History of Chervettes

The name Chervettes derives from the Saintongeais terms “cherve” or “charve.” Both mean hemp or a place planted with hemp. The name therefore refers either to the plant or to a place where it was grown. Another historical trace can be found in some estates with enclosed courtyards. These courtyards are characteristic of the commune’s wine-growing origins. The enclosed courtyard is the architectural feature; wine-growing is the historical context. Thus, a linguistic interpretation of the name and an architectural feature stand side by side.

Notre-Dame de l’Assomption Church

Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church consists of a single nave, covered by a barrel vault and lit by four windows. A nave is the main longitudinal space of a church; the barrel vault gives this space its arched ceiling. The shape of the vault changes at the choir: it is covered by a cloister vault in the form of a half-dome. The contrast between the barrel-vaulted nave and the half-dome-shaped choir makes two distinct parts of the church interior apparent. The choir’s end is based on a former priory, adding a historical reference to the architectural description.

The west façade features a round-arched portal dating from the 15th century. Above it is an oculus, or circular opening in the façade. The façade can therefore be read from bottom to top: first, the round arch defines the portal, and above it, the oculus introduces a second, circular shape. The interior and exterior each have their own distinctive features: vaults and windows inside the church, and the portal and oculus on the west side.

Cycling and Hiking

Two different routes are available for cycling and hiking. The VTC-MTB and hiking loop between Chervettes and Saint-Laurent-de-la-Barrière follows white and grassy paths back to Chervettes. The Circuit de la Devise is suitable for road cycling and hiking. It starts at Place du Prieuré, 17700 La Devise; the Circuit offers a panorama from the summit of Terrier du Mugon. Both routes include hiking, but differ in their cycling activities: the loop is for VTC-MTB, while the Circuit is for road cycling. Their specified features also differ: for the loop, the return to Chervettes and the path surfaces are specified, while for the Circuit, the starting point in La Devise and the panorama from Terrier du Mugon are specified.

Discover more destinations: La Brée-Les-Bains, Saint-Hilaire-De-Villefranche, Cravans, Neuvicq-Le-Château, Saint-Sulpice-De-Royan, Saint-Hippolyte, Boutenac-Touvent, Chassiron

Go to the regional travel overview: Charente-Maritime.