Saint-Maigrin – Brick Kiln, Church and Winegrowing

Saint-Maigrin appeals to travellers who want to include cultural history, winegrowing and nature in their travel plans. Highlights include a restored brick kiln in the woods, Église Saint-Paul, a historic watermill and the regional Cognac tradition. A yellow-marked circular trail and the Étang de Saint-Maigrin are also part of the local landscape.

Circular Trail and Landscape

The yellow-marked Circuit de Chez les Bis is 3 km long and takes about an hour. It starts at the sports field, 800 metres north of the town centre. Its length, approximate walking time and starting point give you a clear framework when planning a hike during your stay. The Étang de Saint-Maigrin offers a different connection with nature: it covers 35 hectares and is home to numerous waterbird species. The circular trail, with its stated route and duration, and the pond, with its size and birdlife, represent different ways to experience nature.

Church, Brick Kiln and Château

A restored 19th-century brick kiln is located in the woods of Saint-Maigrin. Nearby, you can see the ruins of a building that probably served the brick workers. Several construction phases can be distinguished at Église Saint-Paul: at the beginning of the 19th century, it was completely rebuilt on its former site, while short 15th-century buttresses were retained. A late-19th-century bell tower rises at the front of the nave, with an open porch forming its base. The privately owned Château de Saint-Maigrin is considered a 13th-century neo-Gothic château. It can be seen from the D152 road towards Baignes-Sainte-Radegonde.

Mills and Distilleries

The Moulin de Narrat combines the history of milling with products made today. The working watermill dates back to the late 16th century and includes a small ecomuseum; flour and walnut oil are produced there. A Cognac distillery also has a history at a mill site: the Distillerie d'eaux-de-vie de Cognac Martell in the hamlet of Foireau was established around 1893 on the site of an older watermill. Another family story began in 1930, when the Roux family bought an estate in Saint-Maigrin and set up their first distillery there. This grew into what is now Domaine Castel-Sablons. It is a family business in the canton of Archiac in the Charente-Maritime department, drawing on the experience of generations of winegrowers and distillers.

Winegrowing and Regional Products

The Coteaux de Passignac are still used for winegrowing today. Saint-Maigrin’s winegrowers have worked for centuries to produce Cognac and build its quality and reputation. Domaine de Montizeau also offers a tangible connection to regional products: it produces Cognac, Pineau and country wines. Tours of the cellars and distillery are offered from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2035. Tastings and guided group and individual visits can be arranged on request through the shop in Jonzac. If you plan your trip around your group’s interests, you can choose from a range of themes: architectural history, milling traditions, winegrowing and Cognac, or the circular trail and landscape.

Discover more destinations: Loulay, Chenac-Saint-Seurin-D'uzet, Mortagne-sur-Gironde, Aumagne, Cozes, Royan, Chantemerle-Sur-La-Soie, Saint-Ciers-du-Taillon.

For the main travel overview: Charente-Maritime.