Brouage, in Charente-Maritime, is a former salt town that became a stronghold in the 16th century. Surrounded by regular ramparts with well-preserved bastions and watchtowers, it has kept its grid plan and a timeless atmosphere, among marshes, far from the sea that has retreated over the centuries.
The town is linked to Samuel de Champlain, the founder of Quebec, often described as a native of Brouage. Today you can visit the ramparts, the Champlain house, the church of Saint-Pierre and the old provisions halls, while craftsmen and local-produce shops enliven the lanes. The Brouage marsh is ideal for cycling and birdwatching.
A few kilometres from Rochefort, Marennes and the Île d’Oléron, Brouage fits into a circuit on the Charente coast. The visit takes about two hours, ideally on foot, following the ramparts’ walkway.