Périgny: Church, Park and Canal de Rompsay

Périgny offers several distinct themes to help you plan your trip: historic buildings, a canal route, green spaces and cultural attractions. The Église Saint-Cybard and the Coureilles towers reflect different historical traces. A named cycling route follows the canal along the Canal Marans–La Rochelle; Parc de Coureilles combines green space with walking paths and play and sports facilities. A unique bee experience, the Médiathèque and biodiversity workshops also add to the options. You can tailor your stay to culture, nature or activity.

Church and traces of local history

The Église Saint-Cybard was listed as a Monument historique by decree on 27 February 1925. It has three naves and two Gothic portals; the left portal is in the Flamboyant style. The church’s form and portal design give it distinctive architectural features to look out for.

Two towers stand at the entrance to the present-day Foyer rural on the Coureilles site. They are the only surviving remains of the vanished medieval castle. The site’s origins date back at least to the 15th century. At Coureilles, the remains of the castle take centre stage; the church’s history, by contrast, is marked in part by its architectural form and its dated heritage designation.

Canal and cycling route

The Canal Marans–La Rochelle is 24 kilometres long and passes through Périgny. In Périgny and La Rochelle, it is locally known as the Canal de Rompsay. The Vélodyssée, also known as the Véloroute Atlantique, follows the canal along a secured and signposted route designated as a Voie Verte. For orientation, it is useful to distinguish between the Canal de Rompsay, the local name for the canal, and the Vélodyssée or Véloroute Atlantique, the route that follows it. Check for possible current detours before setting out.

Green space and activities in Coureilles

Parc de Coureilles is a natural green space in the heart of Périgny, with diverse flora and stately trees. It has boules courts, basketball and handball courts, a skatepark, a children’s playground and walking paths. If you’re planning to spend time outdoors, you can choose between a walk and the various play and sports facilities.

Parc de Coureilles is also home to the Rucher-dôme, which opened in 2023 as an immersive, sensory and educational experience. Visitors can go inside and experience the buzzing and activity of a beehive. They can freely approach and observe the bees without a guide or protective clothing. The experience offers a direct glimpse of what goes on inside a beehive.

More things to see

P’Arc en Ciel opened to the public on 1 July 2023; picnicking is permitted there. Check the seasonal opening hours before visiting.

The Médiathèque in Périgny offers free use of its collections on site and has a dedicated exhibition area. A registration is required to borrow documents. When planning, distinguish between using the collections on site and borrowing; also check the current programme and opening hours.

The Refuges LPO de Périgny programme organises workshops on building nest boxes and creating areas for biodiversity in your garden. The two themes combine the practical construction of nesting aids with encouraging biodiversity in the garden.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Germain-de-Lusignan, Néré, Saint-Sauvant, Clérac, Saint-Seurin-de-Palenne, Saint-Pierre-D'oléron, Gémozac, Saint-Bonnet-sur-Gironde.

For the broader travel overview: Charente-Maritime.