Saint-Seurin-sur-l'Isle is a town in the Gironde, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, 24 km north-east of Libourne.
Its 8.8 km² area borders the left bank of the Isle, a tributary of the Dordogne. The locality has the specificity of being crossed by the Greenwich meridian (longitude 0 °) and by the 45th parallel, which places it at an equal distance from the North Pole and the equator.
Already occupied by men during Prehistory, the village of Saint-Seurin really developed in the 12th century when a fortified church (to protect itself from possible Norman incursions) was erected on the banks of the river, which allowed also to secure this passage later used by the pilgrims of Saint-Jacques.
If the Romanesque building will be damaged during the Wars of Religion, in the meantime, under the English occupation, the village prospered (crafts, vine cultivation, establishment of mills on the Isle). In the 19th century, benefiting from the development of communication routes, the town hosted industrial units which were to be perpetuated: manufacture of capsules, packaging factories, shoes and wine estates.
Saint-Seurin-sur-l'Isle now has nearly 3,200 inhabitants. Its heritage and its leisure offer in a bucolic setting make it a choice stopover between Aquitaine and Périgord.
Among the heritage elements of the town to highlight and discover, let us first mention the Romanesque church, whose foundations date back to the 12th century but which was rebuilt in the 17th century, having been burnt down by the Huguenots. It subsequently benefited from several restoration campaigns, the most recent being in 1981.
The superb presbytery, nearby, was built in the 17th century by parish priest Bernard Queyreau, at his own expense, which is rare. but testifies to the prosperity of the time. The vast Logerie mill, for its part, was rebuilt around 1895 on an arm of the Isle, and it comprises two levels. For milling purposes, it replaced a first mill from the 16th century.
Also worth seeing is the Barrage flour mill which dates from 1847 and to which a hydroelectric power station was added which operated until 2002.
Old locks, the Donadier barn in freestone and half-timberings filled with cob (dating from 1800), or the cemetery door with a sculpted ironwork decoration (1984) complete this overview, as well as the Buthaud tower and its fresco (vestige of the rural hearth from 1954). Finally, two neoclassical-style residential dwellings, the Roqueflot and Aquitaine houses, rue Henri-Barbusse, the former Jackson company (1860) where the steel production method was initiated (now a dance school) and other sites belonging to the industrial heritage (mills transformed into factories) are to be observed.
A booklet is available to visitors to guide them in their discovery of the city and its history. For more information, call +33 5 57 56 01 01 or +33 5 57 51 15 04.
On the cultural side, activities are regularly scheduled at the Jean Cocteau media library (contact on +33 5 24 24 01 01) and artistic exhibitions are hosted throughout the year at the François Mitterrand gallery (information on +33 5 24 24 01 23).
For athletes, the Bains de l'Isle aquatic complex combines swimming and relaxation, as it has two covered pools, a slide, a solarium and outdoor spaces (lawn and picnic). Admission: 4.20 and 4.90 euros. Information on +33 5 57 49 77 91.
Also note that the Hervé Corre multi-sports ground, avenue du Grand Champ, allows you to practice basketball, volleyball or badminton. Free access.
For tennis fans, you must book a court with the local club on +33 5 57 49 64 90 while you can consider a more or less hectic ride on the Isle with the canoe club: contact at +33 9 50 20 21 79.
Vast 3 hectares, the town's leisure center, on the banks of the Isle, includes lawns, shaded areas, playgrounds and picnic areas, walking trails and a pond dedicated to fishing. You can canoe there in summer.
Nearby, in July and August, a sandy beach is set up and supervised by the river, with sanitary facilities and a green environment. Information on +33 5 57 56 01 01 or +33 5 57 51 15 04.
Still along the Isle, the Charbonnière nautical stop includes a canoe or pedal boat rental point. Open every weekend from May to October and every day in July and August. Information on +33 5 57 49 73 48.
In a different kind, the Pierre Durand Equestrian Center is open to horse riding enthusiasts wishing to discover the region in a different way… Contact +33 6 86 77 08 81.
For walks and hikes in a green environment, the Aubarède area covers 47 hectares. Bordered by the Isle, the site is recognized for its rich biodiversity. Sensitive to the floods of the river, its hedged landscapes with hedges and meadows are remarkable. Other trails this time more forest are also available near the equestrian center in the area called Petit-Bois. Maps and information for hikers on +33 5 57 56 01 01 or +33 5 57 51 15 04. It is also possible to join the outings of the local club (join +33 5 57 69 79 65).
As for the fishermen, in Saint-Seurin they have considerable potential between river and ponds. Information on sites and regulations on +33 5 57 49 79 42.
