Église Sainte-Radegonde de Talmont-sur-Gironde

The Église Sainte-Radegonde stands on a cliff edge overlooking the Gironde estuary, with white limestone walls and a distinctive squared tower rising above the village. The interior displays typical Romanesque features including a vaulted ceiling and columns that structure the space.

Benedictine monks from Saint-Jean-d'Angely built the church in the 12th century using solid stone construction for durability. Later it was fortified when Talmont developed as a bastide town and military defenses became necessary.

The church displays finely carved stone capitals with religious scenes, animals, and human figures that visitors notice while walking around the building. These details tell medieval stories and remain clearly visible today.

The church is accessible on foot by walking through the narrow village streets and sits about 25 kilometers south of Royan. The visit works well on clear days when views across the bay are better.

The adjacent cemetery contains 18th-century cenotaphs surrounded by pink and white hollyhock flowers that bloom each spring and summer. Visitors often find this quiet spot with its older gravestones less known than the church itself.