BOOK SELECTION <p align="center"></p> <div class="mapdiv"><img src="img/map/map22.jpg" alt=""><br /> </div> <h1>Marans to Surgères.</h1> <h2>A gulf between Aunis and the north.</h2> <p>This northern strip of Charente Maritime was once a gulf between the coast of the ancient territory of Aunis and the shores of Vendée to the north. It provided a seaway from the Atlantic to Niort but, over many centuries - both by natural silting and by creating dykes and enclosures - the land has been reclaimed. Nevertheless there are countless water channels providing a superb environment for wildlife and leisure. Times and the nature of transport have changed but the former watery corridor remains a major transport link which is now provided by the dual carriageway N11 stretching from La Rochelle and its airport to the French motorway network. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <div class="imgdivleft"><img src="img/map/mapdet60.jpg" alt=""><br /></div> <p class="pictcap">An inland port with a canal. </p> <p>Most of the coastal towns and villages have grown from settlements first established as fishing communities on low lying islands. Marans, pretty much as far north as you can go in Charente Maritime, became a slightly inland port with a canal connection to La Rochelle. Today it hosts a burgeoning boat-hire industry and they say that there are more than 60 miles of waterways to explore. On Thursday evenings in summer a lively market brings colour to the local quays. </p> <div class="imgdivrt"><img src="img/map/mapdet61.gif" alt=""><br />The mussels are grown on posts set on the tidal flats.</div> <p class="pictcap">Shipwrecked - with a load of Irish mutton! </p> <p>Squeezed by alluvial deposits from time immemorial the sheltered Anse (Bay) de l'Aiguillon is more the domain of wildfowl rather than sun-seekers but gastronomes may delight in the many cafes and restaurants serving local mussels. Such is the mystique of the husbandry of the mollusc that it's origin is claimed to have been founded by an Irishman, Patrick Walton, shipwrecked locally with a cargo of mutton in (wait for it) 1235! That colourful legend is discounted by local historians who say that the local moules were being supplied to the monks at St Jean d'Angély a couple of centuries earlier. Whatever the truth the intervening 800 years or so seems to have done nothing to diminish the flavour of the favourite sea food. </p> <div class="imgdivleft"><img src="img/map/mapdet62.jpg" alt=""><br /></div> <p class="pictcap">Golf, beaches and bonhomie. </p> <p>Much of the shellfish production is cantered on Charron near the border with neighbouring Vendée and at Esnandes where there is a museum devoted to the industry. Further south the old established villages like Nieul-sur-Mer and l'Houmeau are increasingly developing as dormitory areas for la Rochelle but they are superbly convenient too for the airport, the local golf course, the wildlife and the beaches on Île de Ré and to the south of the city. </p> <div class="imgdivrt"><img src="img/map/mapdet123.jpg" alt=""><br /></div> <p class="pictcap">A capital of crème. </p> <p>On the coastal flatlands arable farming is most in evident but Surgères, close to the border with Deux-Sèvres, has made a name for itself as a centre for the dairy industry. Many independent producers bring their produce to the market hall on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning while the local creamery puts the town's name on packs of butter to be found in supermarkets across France. Markets seem something of a speciality here with major open-air events held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month as well as some evening markets in summertime. To cap it all another natural resource, as timeless as the tides that nurture their mussels on the coast, is celebrated here. Each August a important horse fair is held on the vast concourse outside the castle. </p> <br class="clearboth"> <p> </p> <p> </p> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td> </td> <td width="336"><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-4865880013504818"; //Dadani large panel google_ad_slot = "3687098115"; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; //--></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></td> <td> </td> </tr> </table></td><td width="185" valign="top" class="freeads"> <h2>Some further information...</h2> <p><img src="img/agent/po43.gif" alt="INTASURE"><br /> <strong>INTASURE</strong><br /> <a href="http://www.intasure.com?introducer=400103" target="_blank"><strong>Click to our web-site</strong></a><br /> Property insurance for principal residences and holiday homes in France by British company underwritten by Norwich Union. Also Travel Insurance for holiday home owners.<br> </p> <p> <strong>Moules Museum - Maison de la Mytiliculture.</strong><br /> Rue de la Eglise,<br> 17137 Esnandes.<br> Tel: 0546-013464<br> <a href="mailto:maison-mytiliculture@wanadoo.fr?subject=Enquiry from Dadani.co.uk"><strong>Click to email us</strong></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.esnandes.net/decouvrir/musee/musee.htm?id=dadani" target="_blank"><strong>Click to our web-site</strong></a><br /> All you ever wanted to know about the moules and their husbandry! Displays of equipment, interactive presentations and video shows. The web-site too contains enough information (in French) for a moderate honours degree. Open March - October; a.m. & p.m. (The photo in the text courtesy of this establishment). <br> </p> <p> <strong>The Marais Poitevin.</strong><br /> 17137 Esnandes.<br> Tel: 0546-013464<br> Nature has no respect for administrative boundaries and the flat reclaimed lands with their wealth of waterways and natural history stretch from Deux-Sèvres across Charente Maritime and into Vendée too. Landing places ('Embarcadères') for boat trips (both with and without a boatman) are well signposted in almost all the villages and you'll find other information on our 'Marais Poitevin - and a forest' page in the Département of Deux-Sèvres.<br> </p> <p> <strong>Beauregard Windmill.</strong><br /> (Le moulin à vent de Beauregard,<br />Ave. de la Gare.<br> 17230 Marans.<br> Tel: 0546-007468<br> A restored and working windmill that offers its services to local organic producers. An ancient sight to behold and it's produce is available. Open mid June - mid Sept; a.m. & p.m. except Mondays.<br> </p> <p> <!--START MERCHANT:merchant name eBags from affiliatewindow.com.--> <a href="http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?s=86998&v=1589&q=68815&r=75764"><img src="http://www.awin1.com/cshow.php?s=86998&v=1589&q=68815&r=75764" border="0"></a> <!--END MERCHANT:merchant name eBags from affiliatewindow.com--> </p></td> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"> <tr> <td class="box"> </td> </tr> </table> <p> </p> <p> </p> <div id="foot"> <a href="dadani-sitemap.lasso"><img src="img/imap.gif" alt="Dadani site map" width="29" height="18" border="0"></a><a href="index.lasso"><img src="img/ihome.gif" alt="Dadani home" width="29" height="18" border="0"></a><a href="mailto:website@dadanimail.co.uk?subject=Enquiry on Dadani web site"><img src="img/iemail.gif" alt="Email Dadani" width="29" height="18" border="0"></a></div> </body> </html>
