La Devise is a commune of Charente-Maritime in the Aquitaine region, 7 km south of Surgères and 30 km from the Atlantic coast.
It was officially created on January 1, 2018 following the merger of the localities of Vandré (826 inhabitants), Chervettes (641 inhabitants) and Saint-Laurent-de-la-Barrière (104 inhabitants), thus now totaling nearly 1500 inhabitants.
The new town takes its name from the river of the Currency which has its source and crosses the locality and flows 30 km downstream in the Charente.
The communal territory, vast of 26 km², belongs to the old natural region and province of Aunis, and was long dedicated to viticulture.
After the phylloxera crisis at the end of the nineteenth century, the farmers of the villages now gathered devoted themselves to livestock farming (milk production) and market gardening. An industrial laundry unit was then established in the 1970s.
The green environment and a quality leisure offer near major tourist sites (such as Rochefort) and resorts of the Charente coast make La Devise a pleasant stopover or a popular holiday resort.
A time labeled Green Station, the village of Vandré has in the first place a heritage of interest, starting with its imposing church Saint-Vivien (33 m long!). It dates from the beginning of the 13th century. One observes its vaults of type Plantagenet (invented in Angers) and especially a carved ornamentation very astonishing and rich.
This is the case on broken arches, columns (lions on capitals), or masks adorning the cornices. The church also has another singularity: a guard room which also served as a refuge, located above the vaults of the apse. It is pierced with watch windows and holes to target enemies with muskets. This hall was accessed by the bell tower, and it was in service during the Hundred Years War and during the Wars of Religion.
Adjoining this church listed since the early twentieth century, there is an old wash.
On the other hand, there are only rare remains of the two ancient castles that counted this fief during the Ancien Régime...
Also in Vandré, near the town hall, a museum has been set up in the old presbytery, presenting a collection of objects, trinkets, furniture, costumes and documents illustrating daily life in this region of the Aunis at the turning point. from 1900. A room is dedicated specifically to viticulture which was the first wealth of the village in the nineteenth century. Open Sunday afternoon. Guided tour possible. Information on +33 5 46 68 84 58.
On the village of Saint-Laurent, the church of the twelfth century is also protected as historical monuments. Affected by a storm that caused the steeple to fall in 1936, the building was disintegrated after the Second World War until a major restoration campaign was implemented between 2000 and 2005.
On the outskirts of the small village, one can also observe the old noble home of the Bastière, which dates from the seventeenth century, and which still has a beautifully made portal, the renovated housing unit now housing guest rooms.
Leisure side then, the new town of La Devise has an outdoor pool that reconciles relaxation, games and swimming via a heated pool and a slide. Open Wednesday and Saturday from mid-June to the beginning of summer holidays and every day until September 1st. Price: 1.80 and 3 euros. Information on +33 5 46 68 84 57.
Various sports facilities on Vandré are also available to visitors and holidaymakers such as a city stadium, a fitness trail or even tennis courts (reservation at +33 5 46 68 84 58).
In addition, the stretch of water of the vast Greve of 2 hectares is dedicated to the walkers and the fishermen, a "carpodrome" being arranged there. Price: 8 euros for two rods. Information on +33 6 74 24 05 34 or +33 6 74 28 83 44.
Finally, on the territory, hiking trails including the ancient streets of the villages, the banks of the Currency and other green areas are marked, as well as a circuit dedicated to mountain bikers. Maps and information on +33 5 46 01 12 10.
