Saint-Benoît-des-Ondes combines church and fishing heritage with a signposted cycling route and kayaking activities. A look at the local details shows how cultural history and activities on land and water fit together here in different ways.

Church and pêcheries: history in place

The date 1855 is inscribed on the south side door of the nave of the Église paroissiale Saint-Benoît. The altarpiece—the structure behind the altar—and the painting of the Last Supper were preserved during the church renovation, which began in 1786. A specific date on the building and two named elements of the church furnishings thus stand side by side, offering different insights into the building’s history.

Pêcheries are enclosures built along the seashore. They are left high and dry at low tide; fish carried in by the incoming tide are trapped inside. A royal decree of 1732 lists five pêcheries in the parish of Saint-Benoît-des-Ondes: “La Brie,” “La Roussette,” “Le Bas-Champ,” and two structures named “La Pauvrette.” Today, only one pêcherie is still operated in Saint-Benoît-des-Ondes. The fishing method explains the purpose of these traditional structures, while the number recorded in the decree and the one still operated today offer insights into two different points in time.

Cycling on La Vélomaritime

The La Vélomaritime circular route “Entre polders et herbus en Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel” begins and ends in Saint-Benoît-des-Ondes. At about 70 kilometres over three days, it offers a multi-day itinerary to consider when planning your trip. Parking for the route is available on Rue du Bord de Mer near the town hall. The route is fully signposted, with signs bearing the La Vélomaritime logo marking the way. Both a parking option in town and the route’s signage are practical reference points for planning. That works out to an average of about 23 kilometres per day.

Kayaking on the Canal des Allemands

Kayaking experiences on the Canal des Allemands are available from Saint-Benoît-des-Ondes. The municipalities of Saint-Benoît-des-Ondes and Saint-Guinoux offer these together with Char en Baie; Char en Baie rents two-person kayaks departing from Saint-Benoît-des-Ondes. Check availability and booking conditions before your trip. The canal was originally built as a defensive structure to prevent the Allies from advancing towards Saint-Malo. Its former military purpose is thus in stark contrast to its present-day use for kayaking.

Choose the focus of your stay

When planning, the cycling and water activities differ above all in their practical requirements: the circular route is designed for three days and about 70 kilometres, while kayaking availability should be checked in advance.

Discover more destinations: Lécousse, Mont-Dol, Fougères, L'hermitage, Saint-Onen-La-Chapelle, La Chapelle-Aux-Filtzméens, Pléchâtel, Iffendic

For the broader travel overview: Ille-Et-Vilaine.