Saint-Benoît-la-Forêt offers several highlights to consider when planning your trip: hiking routes, nature watching, timber production, and medieval heritage. Route N°1 is described as an easy circular walk lasting about two hours. La Pomardière combines nature themes with a learning trail about timber production; Turpenay Abbey and Pommier Aigre Priory each tell their own story of their founding.
Hiking: a circular route or a longer trail
Saint-Benoît-la-Forêt Route N°1 is an easy 7.9-kilometre circular walk that takes about two hours. Both the start and finish are at Place de l'église, so you return to your starting point. The approximate duration is a useful guide for planning your time, without requiring minute-by-minute planning.
The 11.5-kilometre trail from La Pomardière passes through the Chinon Forest and on to Saint-Benoît-la-Forêt. It is longer than the 7.9-kilometre Route N°1. If you’re looking for a shorter circular route classified as easy, Route N°1 is a good option; if you’d like to include the Chinon Forest in your choice of route, the trail from La Pomardière follows that course.
Forest nature and timber production
The La Pomardière learning trail introduces the different stages of timber production in an engaging way. The focus here is not on the length of a hike, but on a thematic approach: along the way, you’ll learn how the various stages of production differ. This offers a different perspective on the forest from choosing a route based on distance or duration.
At La Pomardière, the transition between meadows and forest is a habitat rich in species. You may be able to spot squirrels, roe deer, and long-eared owls there. The Lac Mort stream is bordered by vegetation typical of wetlands and dries up very quickly in summer. This seasonal change is part of the landscape, along with the vegetation beside the stream. The Indre-et-Loire département designates La Pomardière as an Espace Naturel Sensible, or sensitive natural area.
Abbey and priory: stories of their founding
Turpenay Abbey was founded in 1127 by Foulques le Jeune, Count of Anjou and Touraine. Some surviving parts of the abbey are protected as historic monuments. The abbey is privately owned, so check access arrangements before planning a visit.
Pommier Aigre Priory was founded in the 12th century by Henri II Plantagenet for the Order of Grandmont. Together, the abbey and priory offer insight into different religious foundations of the 12th century: Turpenay is associated with a specific year, while Pommier Aigre was founded for the Order of Grandmont.
Wine-tasting workshops by reservation
Une Autre Cave in Saint-Benoît-la-Forêt offers wine-tasting workshops by prior reservation. If you plan to take part, arrange your reservation with the provider before you arrive.
Discover more destinations: La Chapelle-Blanche-Saint-Martin, Vallères, Saint-Genouph, Candes-Saint-Martin, Noyant-De-Touraine, Chenonceaux, Tauxigny, Mazières-De-Touraine.
For the broader travel overview: Indre-Et-Loire.
