Massérac can be explored in two very different ways: on foot through the Marais de Vilaine, and through a history that can be experienced at Saint-Benoît, the parish church and the houses of Paimbu. When planning your visit, you can decide whether to focus mainly on scenic trails or on individual historical and cultural landmarks. The Chapel of Saint-Benoît has a particularly long history.
Saint-Benoît: Chapel, fountain and oratory
The Chapel of Saint-Benoît was built in 897 by the monks of Redon from sandstone, quartz and slate. It was abandoned in 1870 because of its poor condition and was restored in the late 20th or early 21st century. The Fontaine Saint-Benoît is 250 metres from the chapel and was once used by the monks as a water supply. The Saint-Benoît Oratory was built in 1859 on the edge of the marshland; it is also known as the Chaire de Saint-Benoît. A contemporary calvary in Massérac is the site of an annual pilgrimage.
Church and village history in Paimbu
The parish church of Massérac was built in 1872 and is Neo-Gothic in style. Its stained-glass windows preserve eight panels depicting key moments in the lives of Saint Benedict and his sister. The church thus brings together its architectural style and a clearly structured visual programme.
Paimbu is home to traditional slate houses; some farmyards are enclosed by fences made of flat slate stones. The village also has an 18th-century bread oven, which was used until the Second World War. The Verger de Paimbu is on the outskirts of the village of Paimbu in the municipality of Massérac, less than one kilometre from the village centre.
At the Verger Commun de Paimbu, visitors and business owners may pick apples if they have requested and received permission in advance; the harvest takes place in the company of a member of the association. If you would like to take this opportunity, allow time to submit your request and obtain approval.
Walks through the Marais de Vilaine
Walking trails cross the Marais de Vilaine. Walking and mountain biking routes also follow a former railway line. One specifically described option is the Circuit d'interprétation des Marais: this 3.7-kilometre walking trail is marked in yellow, starts at La Thebauderie in Massérac and takes 55 minutes. Information panels along the trail provide additional details; the route is suitable for families.
If you are looking for a walk with a defined duration, you can use the Circuit’s 55-minute estimate as a guide. The routes along the former railway line offer another focus, with options for both walking and mountain biking. This gives you a choice between one specifically described route and other trails suited to different activities.
Plan your journey
Massérac is served by regional TER BreizhGo trains. The town is also served by an on-demand transport service that is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Information about train services and the transport service may change. Check the current timetable and the conditions of the on-demand service before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Remouillé, Saint-Hilaire-De-Chaléons, Aigrefeuille-Sur-Maine, Maisdon-Sur-Sèvre, Vay, La Turballe, Soudan, Bouvron.
For an overview of the wider area: Loire-Atlantique.
