Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Soulac-sur-Mer

Noon time near the beach in Soulac-sur-Mer is serious business.

In 1103 a priory, dependent from the Benedictine abbey Sainte Croix in Bordeaux existed here, on the tip of the Medoc peninsula. At that time, the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela was developing and many "pelerins" went ashore here. So one of many "chemins" ("Voie de Soulac") started right here and followed the coastline south. The church, erected near the beach, was threatened by shifting sand dunes already in the beginning - and after a long fight, the church was given up around 1740. At that time, the church was completely buried by a sand dune. As the dune moved on, the ruined church was dug out of the sand by the mid 19th century and got restored. Fighting against the shifting sand dune the floor level was heightened, what can be seen here.

In 1103 a priory, dependent from the Benedictine abbey Sainte Croix in Bordeaux existed here, on the tip of the Medoc peninsula. At that time, the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela was developing and many "pelerins" went ashore here. So one of many "chemins" ("Voie de Soulac") started right here and followed the coastline south. The church, erected near the beach, was threatened by shifting sand dunes already in the beginning - and after a long fight, the church was given up around 1740. At that time, the church was completely buried by a sand dune. As the dune moved on, the ruined church was dug out of the sand by the mid 19th century and got restored.

In 1103 a priory, dependent from the Benedictine abbey Sainte Croix in Bordeaux existed here, on the tip of the Medoc peninsula. At that time, the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela was developing and many "pelerins" went ashore here. So one of many "chemins" ("Voie de Soulac") started right here and followed the coastline south. The church, erected near the beach, was threatened by shifting sand dunes already in the beginning - and after a long fight, the church was given up around 1740. At that time, the church was completely buried by a sand dune. As the dune moved on, the ruined church was dug out of the sand during the century, got restored and now serves the parish.