Wikipedia
Mortagne-sur-Gironde is a commune in the Charente-Maritime department in southwestern France. Its inhabitants are called the Mortagnais and Mortagnaises.
Bordering the banks of the Gironde estuary, this small town was for centuries a principality, as it acquired after the Hundred Years War, but ended up losing by escheat. Military stronghold important, it also became a leading port in the 18th century, Gironde port ranked third (after Bordeaux and Blaye) in the middle of the 20th century, before declining gradually. She now lives mainly from tourism, staying relatively still active fishing port.
The city is divided into two distinct entities: the old city, camped on a cliff, is organized around its church and some shopping streets, while the port, below, is lined with old mills. Part of the houses have been converted into bars, restaurants and shops, making this part of the city an active economic center in the summer. Not far away stands a monolith hermitage dating back to the early centuries of the Christian era.
Mortagne-sur-Gironde belongs to the urban community Royan Atlantique, intercommunal structure involving 72136 inhabitants (2006).