A stay in Genneteil can revolve around a range of themes: the Church of Saint-Martin-de-Tours, château history, the Croix Chouanière or a 12-kilometre hiking trail. Boule de fort adds a traditional game from the Pays de la Loire region to the cultural perspective. You can focus on historical sites and plan a hike as a separate activity.

The Church and Château History

The Church of Saint-Martin-de-Tours dates from the 11th and 12th centuries. The Old Château of Breil-de-Foin is an Angevin fortress on the former feudal border with Maine. The New Château of Breil-de-Foin features a magnificent staircase dating from the time of Henry IV. These buildings highlight different aspects: the church’s date, the fortress’s historical role on the border, and a striking architectural detail. This allows you to explore the history of the buildings from different angles, rather than viewing them all in the same way.

The Château de Breil-de-Foin is a private historic monument that is inhabited year-round. A visit to the château should therefore not be taken for granted. The Croix Chouanière bears witness to Genneteil’s history and complements the architectural themes with a connection to local history.

Architectural Heritage and Regional Culture

The Château de la Pasnière includes a park, a stable, a chapel and agricultural buildings. Here, the focus is on the different parts that make up this château, rather than on a single architectural detail. This offers a different perspective from the staircase in the New Château or the border history of the Old Château: the focus is on the composition of the built estate.

Boule de fort shifts the focus from architectural history to regional culture. The French Ministry of Culture classifies it as a traditional game from the Pays de la Loire region. It was played in a society or club where certain rules had to be followed. The social setting and the rules are part of the game’s tradition; boule de fort can therefore be understood as a communal game with its own set of rules. Unlike the local buildings, the focus here is on regional gaming culture.

Hiking and Getting Your Bearings

Genneteil has a 12-kilometre hiking trail. Its length is a practical factor when deciding how much of your stay to devote to a hike. You can plan the trail as a standalone activity and pursue your cultural interests alongside it. This gives you two different options when planning: enjoy some exercise on the trail or explore the architecture, local history and regional culture.

The Château de Parnay is visible from the D817 road, making it a useful landmark when finding your way around Genneteil along this road.

Discover more destinations: Baugé En Anjou, Passavant-Sur-Layon, Villedieu-La-Blouère, Cholet, Le Longeron, Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent, Saint-Barthélemy-d'Anjou, Grézillé.

Return to the main travel overview: Maine-Et-Loire.