Talmont-sur-Gironde (French pronunciation: [talmɔ̃ syʁ ʒiʁɔ̃d], literally Talmont on Gironde, before 1996: Talmont)[3] is a commune in the Charente-Maritime department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in southwestern France.

Talmont-sur-Gironde
An aerial view of the bastide in the Gironde estuary
An aerial view of the bastide in the Gironde estuary
Coat of arms of Talmont-sur-Gironde
Location of Talmont-sur-Gironde
Map
Talmont-sur-Gironde is located in France
Talmont-sur-Gironde
Talmont-sur-Gironde
Talmont-sur-Gironde is located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Talmont-sur-Gironde
Talmont-sur-Gironde
Coordinates: 45°32′10″N 0°54′24″W / 45.5361°N 0.9067°W / 45.5361; -0.9067
CountryFrance
RegionNouvelle-Aquitaine
DepartmentCharente-Maritime
ArrondissementSaintes
CantonSaintonge Estuaire
IntercommunalityCA Royan Atlantique
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Alain Grasset[1]
Area
1
4.44 km2 (1.71 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
89
 • Density20/km2 (52/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
17437 /17120
Elevation0–24 m (0–79 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Geography

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The village lies about 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Royan, on a small promontory which dominates the Gironde estuary. It appears to be ‘perched’ on this rocky outcrop, in a way that it occupies every square millimetre of space. Tiny beaches can be found at the base of the fortifications, which mostly are sheer from the sea. Inland there is marshy country and a small waterway runs alongside the south wall of the village.

Population

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Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 115—    
1975 92−3.14%
1982 79−2.15%
1990 83+0.62%
1999 83+0.00%
2009 81−0.24%
2014 105+5.33%
2020 96−1.48%
Source: INSEE[4]

Sights

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Talmont-sur-Gironde from the south.
 
Carrelet at Talmont-sur-Gironde

The village is a member of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France ("The most beautiful villages of France") association.

The village is known for its show of hollyhocks, which intrude on the tiny pedestrian-only streets between the small houses.

Church of St Radegonde

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The church of St Radegonde was built in 1094. The structure appears quite 'squat' and is Romanesque in character. The church was a resting place for the Pilgrimage of Saint James of Compostela on the via Turonensis, because the pilgrims crossed the Gironde at this spot (Voie de Soulac Littoral Aquitain).

History

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The enclosed and fortified village was founded around the church in 1284, according to the plans of the ancient bastides, on the orders of Edward I of England. During the Hundred Years' War which divided England and France, Talmont became a strategic stake. In 1652, the village was destroyed by the Spaniards.

Personalities

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Décret du 7 août 1996 portant changement de nom de communes, Journal officiel de la République française n° 0186, 10 August 1996, pp. 12182-12183.
  4. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
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