Saint-Bonnet-De-Bellac offers several clear starting points for a trip: sacred architecture, the Gartempe, local events and cycling. Each theme offers a different focus—from art and local history to riverside scenery and sporting routes.
Sacred architecture and local history
The Église Saint-Bonnet is a Romanesque church dating from the 12th century. Inside are an 18th-century carved wooden altar decorated with statuettes, and a painted wooden statue of Sainte Radegonde from the 16th century. The altar and statue differ not only in age but also in their craftsmanship: one features carving and statuettes, while the other focuses on painted wood and a named saint.
Another trace of religious history is the Chemin de la procession, which is still marked by crosses. The crosses make the named procession route visible in the landscape and complement the religious buildings with a focus of its own. Those interested in local religious history can therefore include a route in their travel plans as well as the churches.
The Gartempe and Chapelle du Pont Saint-Martin
The Gartempe borders Saint-Bonnet-De-Bellac for about 3.5 kilometres along its left bank. At Pont Saint-Martin, it flows calmly at first, then forms cascades at the Moulin de Gringalet and subsequently widens around several islands. The sequence takes you from calm water to cascades and a broader river landscape dotted with islands—a concrete example of how the river changes along its course.
The Chapelle du Pont Saint-Martin, a rustic chapel dating from the 11th to 12th century, also stands on the Gartempe’s left bank. Together with the Romanesque Église Saint-Bonnet, it offers a comparison of religious buildings: the church dates from the 12th century, while the chapel is dated to the 11th to 12th century. Each reflects a different architectural description within the town’s cultural heritage.
Summer events and cycling
The Fraternelle fishing competition takes place every year on the last Saturday in July at Pont Saint-Martin and is accompanied by a country-style meal. The local festival committee holds the FĂŞte de la Batteuse every year on the third Sunday in August. The dates of the two events are therefore clearly distinct: the competition is scheduled for late July and the festival for August. If you plan your trip around either event, check the exact dates and arrangements in advance.
The 72-kilometre C10 loop, rated as difficult, starts in Bellac and passes through Saint-Bonnet-De-Bellac. If you include the route in your plans, check the current route details in advance, as specifications may change. Dispovelo offers holidaymakers mountain bikes and all cycling accessories. If you plan to use them, check availability before your trip.
The RN147 is also a useful landmark for getting here: it crosses Saint-Bonnet-De-Bellac and connects Poitiers with Limoges.
Choose the focus of your stay
When looking for a hotel in Saint-Bonnet-De-Bellac, it is best to choose your main focus first: church art, riverside scenery, a summer event or the cycling loop each lead to different travel plans. If you are travelling for a festival, be sure to factor its date into your plans.
Discover more destinations: Magnac-Laval, Saint-Laurent-Sur-Gorre, Nantiat, Le Vigen, Saint-Hilaire-la-Treille, Laurière, Eyjeaux, Solignac.
For the broader travel overview: Haute-Vienne.
