 Because of religious persecution and the policy of ostracism initiated by King Louis XIV, many villages in "Aunis", such as "Aigrefeuille", were affected by the exodus of Protestants.The village was almost abandoned and in great poverty as was the church which, during the 17th century, was dilapidated and threatened with ruin.The economic recovery in the long-battered region did not take place until the 18th century.