La Roche-Aynardi was mentioned for the first time in 1287. But its name certainly appeared between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries at a period when people settled on the heights for defensive reasons and its founder was named Enard. Located in the heart of a limestone plain, the rural commune peaks at 40 m. high and is crossed by the small stream Le Coquet. Its habitat is grouped around its old water tower. Classified in the Cognac zone, ordinary wood, its main prosperous activity is vines. In 1881, phylloxera ruined 338 ha out of 538, forcing wine growers to engage in livestock farming, then, later, in mixed farming. After the Second World War, La Rochénard was one of the first towns to be electrified, to put into service a mobile laundromat and to found a retirement home for workers. In the 50s, two farms in the valley began growing lavender whose essential oils, made in a traveling still, are delivered to a perfumer in the South.
What to see in La Rochénard?
01. Saint-Laurent Church
The 12th century building was rebuilt in the 14th century, but destroyed during the Wars of Religion and rebuilt while retaining column fragments and Romanesque capitals with large ivy leaves. The storm of 1999 destroyed its neo-Gothic bell tower and porch, who is restores © identically in 2001 thanks to five companies placed under the direction of the Architect of Buildings of France and the financial assistance of the General Council of Deux-Sèvres, the Regional Council of Poitou-Charentes, the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs and Smacl ( mutual insurance of local authorities). It is equipped with a 313 kg bell, Mary Cleopatra, blessed on June 30, 1868.
02. The tourist observatory water tower
The municipal water tower, one of the first in rural areas, is located near the Coop and measurement 18 meters high. It is transformed into tourist observatory as part of the Major Works of Poitevin marsh. In addition to offering a wide panorama of the plain and the marsh, he introduces an educational exhibition explaining its former mode of operation from 1930 to 1978 and twelve monumental frescoes evoking the landscape, events, legends and traditions (the legend of the Bois de la Mariée, the cultivation of lavender in the 50s, the first traveling laundromat…). These were carried out in 2004 by an international youth project between the portholes of the old 90 m3 water reserve.
Free admission. Key available at the town hall located at 14 Grande rue and open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 14:30 p.m. to 17 p.m. Tel./fax: 05.49.04.80.63. E-mail : [email protected]
Others curiosities to see:
- The old wine houses
- The old wells of the village
