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Les Grottes du Régulus

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Régulus’s caves


Situées à 12 km de Royan, les grottes du Régulus, site troglodytique municipal, sont ouvertes au public de Pâques à la Toussaint. Surplombant l‘estuaire de la Gironde et creusés dans des falaises de calcaire, les « trous » de Meschers vous accueillent dans un écrin d’exception. A l’origine naturelles, les grottes de Meschers furent agrandies par l’homme pour devenir au XIXème siècle un habitat troglodytique. Le nom de Régulus vient d’un navire français qui, sous Napoléon, pris en chasse par les Anglais fut sabordé devant Meschers. Thèmes abordés pendant la visite : site refuge pour les protestants pendant les Guerres de Religion, géologie, estuaire, pêche, tourisme au XIXème siècle, carrelet sur ponton, histoire du Régulus, légende de Cadet le naufrageur et habitat troglodytique. Pendant la visite, les enfants peuvent aider la petite crevette Minidik qui se pose bien des questions sur les habitudes de ces drôles d’animaux à deux pattes qui vivent dans la falaise du Régulus.

Situated at 12 km of Royan, the Regulus’ caves, troglodytic site public, are opened to the public from April until November. It is natural cliffs, which were widen by Man; at the 19th Century became troglodytic houses. Regulus’ name came from to a French warship which, under Napoleon the first, were trapped by the Englishs in front of the cliffs. The Frenchs have choose to destroyed this warship that they would not fall in the hands of the Englishs. During the visit, differents thematics will broach like the Protestantism during religious wars, geology, the estuaray of Gironde, the peach, the fishing cabine which is called « Carrelet », the story of the Regulus, Cadet the shipwrecker’s legend and the troglodytics houses. Accueillant, dans un environnement exceptionnel, plus de 75 000 visiteurs par saison les grottes municipales des Fontaines et du Régulus are one of the unmissable actor of tourism in Charente Maritime.

Why regulus' caves ?


We are in 1814. The Captain Jacques Mathieu RÉGNAULD, Régulus' master, a two bridges three masts, receive the order to control the mouth of the Gironde to prevent entry to the British. To be accompanied by three brigs (the Malais, the Sans-Soucis and the Java) he do their part in this mission. Anchor at the bay of Verdon, theses four vessels face rapidly of British squadron of some ten vessels who were coming to regain control of the mouth.

In front of the firepower of English fleet, frenchs to place shelter in front of Meschers’ fort. The situation was desperate. Following the instructions, he had receiving to his hierarchy., the Captain Régnauld decide to scuttle his fleet instead of to leave her by the English. During the night of 7 to 8 april 1814, the crews were landed. The officers arranged at strategic places combustible materials and at the middle of the night they set fire to the vessels.

Legend has was would it that the Régulus did burned during 3 days and nigths. It’s has been since this night to 7 to 8 april 1814 that « michelaises » et « michelais » are take habit to call the group of the caves at the name of Régulus. Régulus.