a town of France, department of Charente-Inferieure, near the union of the Sevre-Niortaise and the Vendée, about 13 miles N.E. of La Rochelle. The country in which it stands, having been recovered from the sea, abounds with salt marshes, and is intersected by canals. The town is well built, and has a good bridge over the Sevre, which is navigable here for vessels of 100 tons. A canal has been recently constructed, by means of which ships of 300 tons can come up to the town. The trade is thriving, and consists principally of corn, wine, brandy, hemp, flax, timber, and salt. Pop. 4670.