Explore Banvou through the Varenne, the megalithic bridge “Pont Romain” and the buildings of Saint-Ernier. Other local features include a walking trail, the history of a forge and the local production of goat’s cheese. These topics provide concrete local points of interest to help you plan a trip and find a holiday rental in Banvou.
The Varenne, the bridge and the walking trail
The Varenne flows through Banvou. Near the Pont de pierre, the river is home to brown trout and signal crayfish, making it interesting from a natural history perspective too. A megalithic bridge called “Pont Romain” stands on the voie verte. The structure connects a distinctive local place name with a specific reference to its megalithic character.
Walking trail No. 16, “Le pont de pierre,” starts in Banvou and leads to a megalithic stone bridge over the Varenne. The church car park in Banvou is listed as the starting point, providing a specific location for practical planning. As local parking rules can change, check the starting-point information before setting out.
Saint-Ernier: chapel and parish church
The Chapelle Saint-Ernier is in Banvou. It was built in the 19th century on the site of the former parish church. The small granite building has a rib-vaulted ceiling and a bell turret on its north-west gable wall. Its material, vault design and the position of the turret give the building a distinctive architectural character.
The Saint-Ernier parish church was built between 1857 and 1862 by the architect Dominique Dedaux. Its layout comprises a bell tower, nave, transept and choir. The choir ends in a flat apse and is extended by the sacristy. The nave and transept are distinct parts of the building; together with the choir and tower, they make the church’s basic layout easy to understand. The chapel and parish church thus offer different architectural points of reference for exploring Saint-Ernier.
The history of the forge and local produce
The Varenne forge operated from the 16th to the 19th century. Banvou’s historical themes also include its former craft and industrial activity. The forge’s long period of operation offers a different perspective on local history from the architectural details of the churches: here, the focus is on the role of a forge over several centuries.
GAEC de La Chèvrerie offers a local food connection in Banvou. Fresh cheese, goat’s Tomme and goat’s Faisselle are made there. For those wishing to include local produce in their travel plans, this is a specific producer with three named products. If you are considering a visit, check the current visiting arrangements directly in advance, as they may change.
An event in August
A procession with unusual rites takes place in Banvou every year around 10 August. The approximate timing may help you choose when to travel, but it is not an exact date for every year. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the specific dates and programme locally.
Discover more destinations: Longny-au-Perche, Neuville-sur-Touques, La Genevraie, Gandelain, Tinchebray-Bocage, Sainte-Honorine-la-Guillaume, Champsecret, Damigny
For the broader travel overview: Orne.
