In Cravans, rural paths, the Bois Mou wetland and numerous historic buildings offer a wide variety of discoveries.
Bois Mou: Wetland and Plant Life
The Bois Mou ZNIEFF covers 49.21 hectares in Cravans and Saint-André-de-Lidon. It is a damp depression on the edge of the Seudre, characterised by reed beds, willow thickets and oak groves. A slow-flowing stream runs through the area. This brings together different features of the wetland landscape in a small space.
Bois Mou is also botanically significant. Plants found there include marsh gentian (Gentiana pneumonanthe), marsh orchid (Orchis palustris) and Epipactis palustris. These names give nature lovers a specific point of reference for the area’s plant life. The ZNIEFF designation and its area refer to the site in both municipalities.
Rural Paths and Circular Trails
Cravans has around 30 kilometres of rural paths, where hikers can discover varied landscapes. The paths are also suitable for horse riding and mountain biking. This overall length of the paths should be distinguished from the distances given for individual circular trails.
The Circuit vert is an approximately five-kilometre circular trail linking Cravans, Saint-André-de-Lidon and Les Brousses. The Circuit bleu is a 20-kilometre loop through Cravans, Saint-Simon-de-Pellouaille, Tesson and Rioux. Check the condition of the Circuit bleu before setting out.
Church, Crosses and Fountain
The Church of Saint-Pierre retains its bell tower and parts of the apse and choir dating from its construction in the 13th and 14th centuries. It was rebuilt after fires during the Wars of Religion; old charred stones are still visible on the present-day façade. Polychrome wall decorations were discovered during masonry work in 2005. The wall paintings were subsequently scheduled for restoration.
At the entrance to Cravans, on the road to GĂ©mozac, stands the Hosanna Cross on a fluted column with an Ionic capital. The Croix Notre-Dame tells a different, precisely dated story: it was erected in 1858 and rebuilt in 2001 after being toppled in the storm of December 1999.
The restored Fontaine du jardin public dates from 1715. It served as a washhouse for the hemp and flax grown in the surrounding area. The fountain thus recalls not only a historic structure, but also the former use of these plants.
Mills and Historic Sites
Le Port is a former Gallo-Roman port on the municipal boundary between Cravans and Saint-André-de-Lidon. The site includes the remains of a watermill beside a renovated windmill with a conical roof made of canal tiles. The mills at Le Port were used until the beginning of the 20th century. The historic port and the later mills therefore reflect different periods of use of the same site.
Le Moulin Neuf is also associated with a former grain mill. It included a two-storey windmill; its lintels bear the dates 1612 and 1838.
Plan an Event and Tasting
The FĂŞte des battages is held in Cravans every year in early September as a rural tradition. Visitors can also see a remarkable collection of old tractors. As dates and programmes may change, check the specific event details before planning your stay around it.
The Hanouille winery offers winery tours and Cognac tastings. Confirm the appointment details before your arrival. The private Domaine de Beaumont offers a different kind of landmark: when leaving Cravans towards Saint-André-de-Lidon, it is visible on the left-hand side of the road, but cannot be visited.
Discover more destinations: Geay, Courpignac, Sainte-Soulle, Barzan, La Clisse, Cherbonnières, Gémozac, Villemorin.
For the wider travel overview: Charente-Maritime.
