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‘Citadel of the 17th century, star of stone in the middle of the Saintonge marches’. Such is the description of this town created by Jacques de Pons around 1555, which also bore the name Jacopolis, after its founder.
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 History
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In the history of French America, Brouage is not only the homeland of Champlain but also one of the places of salt provision for Norman fishermen and others, setting out to fish for cod in Newfoundland. The ‘Terres Neuvas’ (Newfoundland fishermen) no doubt contributed to the silting up of the Brouage safehaven by offloading their stone ballast before loading with ‘white gold’, as had been the tradition since the Middle Ages.
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The citadel |
Today, the rehabilitation of the site and its promotion are entrusted to the Syndicat Mixte pour la Restauration et l'Animation du site de Brouage (Combined Syndicate for the Restoration and Animation of the site of Brouage).
In the Halle aux Vivres (Victuals Hall), the most important building of the citadel, a permanent exhibition evokes the evolution of Brouage. The Halle aux Vivres is a superb building, remarkably restored. Inside, brick arches on stone pillars can be seen. It is said that they can contain 720 barrels on the ground floor and 300 tonnes of wheat on the first floor! It also houses an exhibition of the Centre Européen d'Architecture Militaire (European Centre for Military Architecture) where models, plans and objects recall the defensive vocation of the citadel of Brouage and its architectural influence in Europe.
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Opening times |
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La Halle aux Vivres |
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Open 365 days a year :10.30 am - 6 pm
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Prices |
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Group rates |
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Adults : €3
Child : €2.50
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Group : €2.50 |
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