Aulnay, Charente-Maritime

Lore & Background

Aulnay was known in Roman times as Aunedonnacum, appearing in the itinerary of Antoninus Pius and as Auedonnaco in the Tabula Peutingeriana. By 925, it was the seat of a lordship, as evidenced by a donation from Cadelon I. The Viscounts of Aulnay, descendants of noble families in Poitou and Saintonge, lived in a castle that was demolished in 1818, though its tower remains. Under the Ancien Régime, Aulnay belonged to the province of Poitou and the Diocese of Poitiers, not to Saintonge, despite its common name Aulnay-de-Saintonge. In 1973, the commune of Salles-lès-Aulnay merged with Aulnay.

Reader's Guide

Aulnay's significance lies in its role as a medieval pilgrimage stop on the Via Turonensis and its exceptional Romanesque heritage. The Church of Saint-Pierre d'Aulnay, a 12th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its early-12th-century sculpture on the south and west doorways, featuring oriental influences such as elephant designs. The church's history is tied to the Abbey of Saint-Cyprien in Poitiers and later the Chapter of Poitiers Cathedral, with papal bulls from 1149 and 1157 listing it among their properties. The commune also preserves other historical structures, including a 13th-century chateau, a 14th-century cemetery cross, and the Church of Notre-Dame with a 12th-century baptismal font. Aulnay's administrative role as the capital of the largest canton in Charente-Maritime and its merger with Salles-lès-Aulnay in 1973 further mark its regional importance. The Brédoire river, which flows through the commune, caused notable flooding in December 1982.

Did You Know?

• Aulnay was called Aunedonnacum in the itinerary of Antoninus Pius and Auedonnaco in the Tabula Peutingeriana.
• The Church of Saint-Pierre d'Aulnay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features early-12th-century sculpture with oriental influences, including elephant designs.
• The Brédoire river flooded the town in December 1982.