Sainte-Marie-de-Ré
Sainte-Marie-de-Ré is a commune in the western French department of Charente-Maritime.
Geography
Sainte-Marie-de-Ré is a small village, on the southern coast of the Île de Ré, facing the Île d'Oléron.The coastal part is bordered by beaches and small cliffs.
History
Sainte-Marie was first used as a designation for a Parish Church in the late 12th century. The village centered on grape farming for over a millennium and maintains a strong rural identity. The commune was officially begun in 1790.Population
- Inhabitants of Sainte-Marie-de-Ré: Maritais.
- Inhabitants of La Noue: Nouais.
Economy
- Agriculture: grape vineyards, asparagus, potatoes.
- Tourism.
- Thalassotherapy: The thalassotherapy center on the waterfront of the south-eastern edge of Sainte-Marie was expanded in 2004.
- Computer information technology.
Sights
Religious sites
- The Parish church, Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption at Sainte-Marie de Ré whose existence was first recorded in the late 12th century. In 1467 the church was fortified and a moat surrounding the church was dug.
- The Saint Sauveur Chapel at La Noue.
Civil sites
- A Monument to the Dead.
- A monument by sculptor Mélanie Quentin called "La Connaissance" which was installed in 2006.
- The Magayant house, a fishing museum.