A Romanesque town gate, a tower from the former castle complex and two circular routes give Marthon clear points of interest for a cultural or cycling stay. The historic buildings tell different stories; the routes can be distinguished by their length and the explicitly stated user groups. If you are looking for accommodation in Marthon, these highlights can help you choose the kind of stay you want.
Traces of medieval history
The Chapelle-porte de Marthon is a 12th-century Romanesque building with a rectangular floor plan, dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist. It also served as the town gate of Marthon’s feudal fortress. Its architecture and history of use therefore go hand in hand: the building is defined both by its religious dedication and by its former role in the fortifications. Its floor plan, dedication and function as a gate place the building in both an architectural context and the context of its former purpose.
The Tour du Breuil offers a different perspective. Dating from the second half of the 12th century, it is a surviving remnant of Marthon’s former castle complex. The tower stands on a rocky platform above the town. Both buildings therefore date from the 12th century, although the Tour du Breuil is more precisely dated to the second half of the century. Comparing them also highlights their distinct historical contexts: a town gate in a feudal fortress on the one hand, and a surviving remnant of a former castle complex on the other.
Market halls and cultural events
The market halls add a later chapter to the picture. Built in 1874, they regained their commercial function after municipal restoration in 1998. The construction date is well after that of the medieval buildings; 1998, by contrast, marks the resumption of their commercial function. If their current use is important for your stay, check locally.
According to municipal visitor information from 2016, the La Tour Sain-Jean association was based in the Chapelle-porte and held exhibitions and concerts there. If you have a particular event in mind, check the current programme.
Cycling routes and connections in Marthon
Two circular routes pass through Marthon. The permanent Ronde des clochers is 60 km long. The Coteaux du Bandiat circular route covers 66 km and is intended for mountain bikers and hikers. The Ronde is six kilometres shorter; the user groups for the Coteaux are explicitly stated. Check the route conditions before setting out.
Marthon also has a connection between the La Scandibérique and Flow vélo cycling routes. This route connection is distinct from the two circular routes: it links two named cycling routes in the town, while the Ronde des clochers and the Coteaux du Bandiat each have their own stated length. When planning, you can therefore decide first whether the length of a circular route or the connection between the named cycling routes should be the deciding factor.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Séverin, Gardes-Le-Pontaroux, Yvrac-Et-Malleyrand, Brillac, Édon, Genté, Birac, Criteuil-la-Magdeleine.
For the wider travel overview: Charente.
