Tanzac among vineyards and church art

Tanzac lies at the heart of a wine-growing landscape. The Church of Saint-Saturnin de Tanzac, an intercommunal game, a cycling loop and a war memorial reflect different facets of the area. If you are looking for a hotel in Tanzac, these cultural and landscape highlights can help you get a sense of the destination. They include a church with murals, a route through fields and vineyards, and a quiz trail connecting two churches.

The Church of Saint-Saturnin and its architectural history

The Church of Saint-Saturnin de Tanzac was built in the 12th century; its nave was rebuilt in the 17th century. The entire church is protected as a historic monument; it was designated on 24 January 1958. The protected status therefore covers not only the rebuilt nave, but the whole church.

Remarkable murals dating from the late 13th to early 14th century decorate the transept apse. They depict the Tetramorph, a symbolic representation of the four Evangelists accompanying Christ in his glory. The murals date from between the church’s construction in the 12th century and the rebuilding of its nave in the 17th century. The building’s history and its art thus emerge across different historical periods. The term “apse” refers to a small apsidal space and describes the architectural form of this part of the church.

Vineyard landscapes and cycling routes

The cycling loop “En passant par les Fourchauds de Tanzac” passes through the fields and vineyards of the commune. Pretty stone houses can be seen along the route. In the hamlet of Bellevue, the route points out the beautiful manor house; an old water pump stands right next to it. If you are planning the ride, check the downloadable route details before setting off, as they may change.

The walking and cycling routes offered by the Communauté de communes de Gémozac also include loop no. 8, “Tanzac.”

A fun way to discover two churches

The intercommunal game “La Chasse aux Trésors” offers a different way to discover local history. Its quiz trail connects the churches of Gémozac and Tanzac. The game is free; the questionnaire can be picked up from the Communauté de communes and is valid all year round. The treasure hunt focuses on the quiz challenge and the connection between two churches, while the cycling loop highlights the landscape and individual architectural features.

A 20th-century memorial

Tanzac is home to a war memorial erected in 1920 to commemorate the soldiers who died in the First World War. Eighteen names are engraved on the memorial. Alongside the church’s medieval heritage, this memorial extends the historical perspective into the 20th century.

Discover more destinations: Les Mathes, Geay, Bougneau, Croix-Chapeau, Saint-Clément-Des-Baleines, Rouffiac, Léoville, Vert-Bois

For the regional travel overview: Charente-Maritime.