Saint-Benoît-des-Ombres offers several specific starting points for a short discovery trip: the church with its long building history, a pilgrimage on 21 March and the PR “Ponts et gués”. The church grounds and the forest add their own, clearly distinct points of interest. When planning your stay, you can focus on cultural history, a set date in the traditional calendar or a hike.
Church, building history and furnishings
The Église Saint-Benoist des Ombres was built in the late 11th or early 12th century and remodelled in the 18th century. Since 1 October 1974, the Église Saint-Benoît has been fully listed as a Monument historique. The protection covers the entire building, including its interior and exterior. Two distinct periods therefore shape its history: its medieval beginnings and its remodelling in the 18th century. The protection also applies to the whole building, not just one part.
Two sculptures bring the church’s furnishings into sharper focus. Above the portal is a 17th-century wooden statue of Saint Benedict. In a niche to the left of the choir is a painted stone statue of Saint Lawrence from the 15th century. The differences are not limited to the saints depicted: the materials, locations and centuries also differ. Wood and the portal contrast with painted stone and the niche by the choir. This offers a concrete cultural-historical comparison between two furnishings from different periods.
Church grounds and forest
The classified protected area around the Église Saint-Benoît includes its portal with the statue of Saint Benedict, the cemetery surrounded by a hedge and two yew trees. This differs from the full listing of the church building: here, elements around the church are named together, including the cemetery and trees. For a clear understanding of the different themes, it is therefore worth distinguishing between the protected building and its classified surroundings.
Another landscape feature is Le Bois de la Vallée des Quatre Chênes. The official INPN inventory dated 11 June 2025 lists the forest as a type 1 ZNIEFF. Alongside the church-related features, this is a separately named woodland that also gives the area its landscape context.
Pilgrimage on 21 March
The pilgrimage in honour of Saint Benedict takes place every year on 21 March in Saint-Benoît-des-Ombres. Prayers are said for the protection of family members and animals. If you would like to include this tradition in your travel plans, the date gives you a specific point of reference. Check the event dates before travelling so your plans match your intended visit.
Hiking: distance and shared section
The FFRandonnée route description, updated on 28 September 2024, lists the PR “Ponts et gués” as an 11 km trail marked in yellow. For 4.7 km, on the section through Saint-Benoît-des-Ombres, it shares a route with the GR® de Pays Vièvre et Risle. The figures refer to different distances: 11 km is the full length of the PR, while 4.7 km is the length of the shared section. This distinction helps avoid confusing the section with the full length of the PR. The trail distance gives you a specific point of reference for planning your day; no walking time is provided.
When looking for a holiday rental, you can start by deciding when to travel: if you want to include the pilgrimage, the date to bear in mind is 21 March; if hiking is your main focus, you have a specific trail distance of 11 km. The church adds a historical focus to your plans.
Discover more destinations
La Goulafrière, Les Baux-De-Breteuil, Appeville-Annebault, Bazincourt-Sur-Epte, Brionne, Triqueville, Dampsmesnil, Saint-Georges-du-Vièvre
For the main travel overview: Eure.
