France: Esnandes – Saint-Martin Church

The Saint-Martin Church in a tiny village of Esnandes once stood at the waterfront of Gulf of the Pictons before the water retreated and turned into a march. The church dates back to as early as the 6th century AD, although the current structure is from the 12th century. In the 14th century, during the Hundred Years’ War, the church was fortified to protect the coast from English invasions and attacks in La Rochelle. The church is a blend Romanesque and Gothic styles with fortress-like appearance.