Geographical Location
Vinax lies on the eastern edge of the Vals de Saintonge in the Charente-Maritime département. The municipality is located at an average altitude of 140 metres and is the highest-altitude municipality in the Charente-Maritime département.
Nature
The managed Forêt domaniale d’Aulnay also extends into Vinax. The Maison forestière de la Croix de Vinax is one of five forestry houses recorded in the Forêt domaniale d’Aulnay.
The Chizé-Aulnay forest massif covers 17,357 hectares under Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. The Forêt d’Aulnay is one of the region’s most significant deciduous forest areas; the planned area of the Forêt domaniale d’Aulnay is 2,884 hectares.
The last reported sighting of a wolf in the Charente-Maritime département was recorded in Vinax. The last reported wolf was found on the edge of the Forêt d’Aulnay. No further wolf has been recorded in the Charente-Maritime département since the event of 1932/33.
Culture
The Romanesque church of Vinax was built in the 12th century. It has preserved a chancel termination from the 12th century divided by columns, as well as a cornice with corbels known as modillions. One of the corbels depicts a beehive. Vinax Church stands away from the village centre in open countryside.
Anyone planning a stay in Vinax may wish to rent a holiday apartment there.
