The mermaid of Fouras Poï'z : Zéllé Route's thematic: Tales and Legends Route's difficulty: 2/5 Route's ground: 2/5 Route's duration: 1h-2h Route's distance: 3.00Kms Médusine is a beautiful mermaid, born from the union between the Ocean and Charente. Sailors know her well ! When she was very young, they allowed her to swim near the water’s surface to discover the outside world, on one condition : she was never to approach the coastline, for many people believed that mermaids were dangerous creatures who threw spells on men? before dragging them deep down to the bottom of the sea… If Médusine came anywhere near the coastline, it would be very dangerous ! She might be hunted and get injured ! Mates… I think I made an awful mistake… What do you mean, Zisséo ? This morning I fished a strange creature. It looked like an enormous fish, but come to think of it, it did look a lot like… a mermaid! Oh no Zisséo, you fished Médusine ?! Where is she now ? At the fort ! I was so proud of my catch that I took her there, so that visitors could admire her… Enter the fort and climb the outdoor stairway. Find the mermaid ! 1 . Médusine and the fort (N45°59.181' / W001°05.846') Hi guys ! On a stroll ? Did you know that this fort is the oldest building in Rochefort? It was built during the Gallo-Roman era. A Celtic tribe called « The Santons » lived here and farmed salt. The Romans rapidly took over the place by building a fortified camp with a wooden tower to keep an eye on the sea. In 1059, on the spot where the camp used to be, a stronghold was built. It was home to the Fouras lords lineage. An ideal spot right next to the Charente estuary … Ideal for taxing ships too ! At the end of the Middle Ages, Eleanor of Aquitaine inherited the castle. When she wed Henri de Plantagenet, King of England, it became a strategic spot ! Many confrontations took place here during the Religious Wars, due to the riches transiting through here: wine, brandy, salt… A few centuries later, King Louis the 14th had the world’s finest arsenal built here : the Rochefort arsenal ! Even if all boats were made and repaired there, the entire war fleet was stored here, in the triangular zone between the islands of Aixe, Fouras and Madame ! 300 years ago, 300 boat masts stood before you. In order to protect this fleet, Vauban turned the castle of Fouras into a fort, and had other fortifications built off the coast, such as Fort Boyard ! In 1889, the site’s military function ceased and the dungeon became a semaphore until the 1930s. The tower and the fort’s watch function always remained ! Which island, which we mentioned a few seconds ago, is furthest to the west on the orientation table? How many letters are there in this name? (madame). If you are not able to enter the fort, have a look at the « château de Fouras » plate located outside. Subtract the two centuries. Write this digit down. It is the equivalent of A. A =_____ Walk along the ocean side [gps]["N45°59.127’","W001°05.823'","45.9854500","-1.09705"]. Take the stairway at [gps]["N45°59.042'","W001°05.728'","45.9840333","-1.0954667"]. Head to the beach at [gps]["N45°59.041'","W001°05.676'","45.9840167","-1.0946"] 2 . The southern beach (N45°59.060' / W001°05.648') Thank goodness ! We managed to get Médusine back, without being seen… Now we just have to put her back in the water! Zellé, something’s wrong… Médusine needs to drink some fresh water before we put her back! Zéïdon... Pardon me for interrupting, but did you know that Fouras was the last town on the continent crossed by Napoleon before his exile on the island of St Helen? This is where the Emperor embarked. A boat! Of course! That’s what we need to get Médusine to safety ! What year did Napoleon leave Fouras and the continent in? Add the 4 digits together to get a new 2-digit number. Write this number down. It is the equivalent of B. B =_____ Walk along the beach towards the ramp at [gps]["N 45°58.995'","W001°05.496'","45.9832500","-1.0916"] 3 . “Carrelets” : fishing cabins on stilts (N45°58.926' / W001°05.485') I fished our scaly friend here, from my fishing cabin ! This particular type of cabin is called a “carrelet”. It refers to a fishing technique used at the mouth of the river Gironde all the way to the Loire Atlantique area. There aren’t very many left in Charente Maritime. The terrible 1999 storm damaged many of them… The word « carrelet » comes from the shape of the fishing net used to catch fish : “carré” means square in French. The nets were placed in the water then pulled up to the cabin using a crank. You can fish all kinds of things here… from tiny fish to large catches. Shrimp, smelts, crabs… even mermaids! “Carrelet” cabins are an important part of Charentes’ heritage. Families, friends, neighbours… everyone would get together to build them. Such fun and unforgettable moments... I knew a plaice, where people were more celebrated than sinned. A sea urchin's name, they laughed at the slamming of the tentacles! How many carrelet cabins can you see?How many carrelet cabins can you see? Write this digit down. It is the equivalent of C. C =_____ Hint: it's an odd number ! 4 . Paradise fountain (N45°58.927' / W001°05.346') Look Zéïdon, there’s a fountain ! Médusine can have a drink while we search for a boat… How many stone steps are there leading down from the fountain ? Write this digit down. It is the equivalent of D. D =_____ Hint: It's an odd number ! Walk along the road by turning right at [gps]["N45°58.930'","W001°05.340'","45.9821667","-1.089"] 5 . Seaside bathing (N45°58.902' / W001°05.260') In the early 20th century, Fouras was a popular bathing resort for well-to-do city-dwellers. Several doctors even praised the benefits of bathing in its silt. The fishing town of Fouras thus became the seaside resort of « Fouras-les-bains »! A casino was built, beaches were set up and gorgeous villas bloomed along the coastline. Find the name of this street, that winds between 2 villas. Hint : it’s the name of a philosopher. Count the letters in his first name. Write this digit down. It is the equivalent of E. E =_____ Hint: almost the same name as that of a famous musician Follow the small street between the villas at [gps]["N45°58.915’'","W001°297'","45.9819167","-5.95"], the turn left in “rue Edmond Grasset”. At the end of the street, turn right. Cross the park via [gps]["N45°58.986’'","W001°05.455'","45.9831000","-1.0909167"]. 6 . The mermaid’s hair (N45°59.072' / W001°05.572) Greetings adventurers ! This is a nice green spot, isn’t it? Did you know there used to be a gas plant here? They used to make ice to keep fish fresh! Admire the seaside villas once again. Each has amazing decorations… “briquettes”, finials, ceramics… One of the most remarkable villas is “Villa Richelieu”. Can you see it ? Fouras was also renowned for it regattas, in the early 20th century. People would come from afar to watch them. Nowadays, Fouras’s Nautical Centre perpetuates the memory of these events. Médusine’s hair is so long that her “angel hair” winds all the way down to the ground. Find this plant and the number on its plate. Write this number down. It is the equivalent of F. F =_____ Hint: You won’t like this number if you are superstitious! 7 . Rue de la Coue (N45°59.109' / W001°05.682') Welcome to “rue de la Coue”, mateys! It used to be Fouras’s main street. It connected the town centre to the old port, which is now the town’s southern beach. The tiny houses were built so close to each other, away from the wind… Sweet! Hollyhocks are the emblem of Fouras les Bains seaside resort. These lovely flowers are painted on the house called "Maison des Ancêtres". Find the street number of the house opposite "Maison des Ancêtres". Write this number down. It is the equivalent of G. G =_____ This flower looks alot like Eleanor of Aquitaine’s emblem. That’s right, just like the Kings of France, with their lily emblem, Eleanor had her very own flower! Take your first left on “rue Bellot” [gps]["N45°59.103'","W001°05.689'","45.9850500","-1.0948167"]. Next, turn right. 8 . The mansion (N45° 59.141' / W001°05.774') The name of this mansion (or “castel” in French) refers to the history of the fort of Fouras, on the opposite side of the street. What name is this ? Count the letters in this proper noun Write this digit down. It is the equivalent of H. H =_____ Zellé ! Médusine needs more water… I think I have an idea Zeïdon! Turn right in “rue Jean Bart”, then take another right in “rue de la Coué”. Somebody’s coming ! Quick, let’s hide in this tiny street… Shhh ! Please be as quiet as possible… When you reach [gps]["N45°59.138'","W001°05.713'","45.9856333","-1.0952167"], take the small street to your left. Then turn right at [gps]["N45°59.143'","W001°05.688'","45.9857167","-1.0948"] 9 .