Montpellier-de-Médillan: Church, Vineyards and Beekeeping

Montpellier-de-Médillan combines a varied landscape with two specific visitor attractions: the Église Saint-Martin and the Miellerie d’Anaïs. Grain fields, vineyards, woods and meadows shape the commune.

Grain fields and vineyards are characteristic of the landscape’s agricultural side; woods and meadows add further elements. You can include this aspect of the landscape in your travel plans independently of a specific visit to the church or the apiary. This gives the landscape its own place alongside the church’s architecture and the subject of beekeeping.

Église Saint-Martin: Construction Phases and Details

The Église Saint-Martin is an example of early 13th-century Saintonge Gothic architecture, built on an 11th-century Romanesque nave. The third bay of the nave dates from the 12th century; two side chapels date from the 15th century. The dates refer to different parts of the building, not to a single construction date for the entire church. Taken together, they trace a sequence from the 11th-century Romanesque nave to the 15th-century chapels, while the façade and stylistic description relate to the 13th century.

The façade dates from the 13th century and has a portal with four archivolts and two niches on either side. The square bell tower has two windows on each side, divided by colonnettes. This draws attention to specific features: the portal and niches on the façade, as well as the tower’s window structure. These concrete features complement the dating by century with architectural details.

A bay is a section of the nave; the date of the third bay therefore refers to part of the building, not to the entire structure. Archivolts are the arched mouldings framing the portal. These terms help distinguish between the building element, its date and its form when you take a closer look at the church.

The church is free to enter; independent visits are available at all times for individuals and groups. As visitor information can change, check the latest access details before your visit.

Miellerie d’Anaïs and Visit Planning

The Miellerie d’Anaïs is an apiary in Montpellier-de-Médillan. The business sells honey and honey-based products at the farm. Its range also includes gingerbread, sweets, soaps and candles. Educational visits are offered for children aged three and over and must be booked in advance. The product range may change; check which products are available before travelling, and find out about the visit arrangements.

When planning your visit, the difference between the two types of visits is important: independent visits are available at the church; an educational visit to the Miellerie must be booked. Check the church access information and arrange your apiary visit in advance.

Discover more destinations: Fontcouverte, Saint-Bonnet-sur-Gironde, Chaillevette, Saintes, Avy, Pisany, Échillais, Siecq.

For the broader travel overview: Charente-Maritime.