Saint-Martin-du-Bois brings together a church with a medieval bell tower, two châteaux with different architectural histories, and a distinctly rural character. Orchards and traditional farming are an integral part of the local landscape. When planning your visit, you can therefore choose to focus on architectural history, the countryside or horse-riding activities.
The Church and Château de Danne
The church’s present-day bell tower was built in the 14th century. The church itself was demolished and rebuilt in 1875; only the older bell tower from the earlier period survives. This means that two different construction phases can be seen side by side in one building: the more recent rebuilding of the church and the medieval tower.
The Château de Danne is also part of Saint-Martin-du-Bois’s architectural history and is listed as a historic monument. Granite quarries were located there. The stone extracted there was initially soft and hardened in the air. This describes a distinctive property of the material and shifts the focus from the buildings to the extraction and characteristics of the stone.
Architecture at the Château du Percher
Different architectural features take centre stage at the Château du Percher. The château was apparently rebuilt between 1495 and 1515 by Pierre and Guillaume de Tinténiac. The uncertainty around the date is part of this historical account.
The chapel at the Château du Percher has a Latin-cross ground plan and a rib-vaulted ceiling with liernes and tiercerons. The ground plan describes the shape of the space, while the vault reveals its construction and structure. This allows two different aspects of the chapel’s architecture to be distinguished: its cross-shaped layout and the rib-divided vault above it. Anyone interested in architecture will find specific forms here, rather than simply a list of château names.
Rural Landscapes and Horse-Riding Activities
Orchards and traditional farming shape the rural landscape of Saint-Martin-du-Bois. La Guyère is considered a viewpoint on a local walking trail and adds a landscape perspective to the architectural sites. Together, these details offer two distinct ways of looking at the area: its architectural history and its surroundings, shaped by orchards and farming.
The Centre équestre de la Montglonnière in Saint-Martin-du-Bois offers riding lessons for adults and children at all levels. Its other activities include trail rides, riding courses and pony rides for individuals by reservation. The horse-riding options can therefore be distinguished by the activity you have in mind: lessons and courses are available alongside trail rides, while individual pony rides require a reservation.
Road Connections and Finding Accommodation
Two road connections are relevant for getting your bearings. The D775, a dual carriageway between Angers and Rennes, passes by Saint-Martin-du-Bois. The N162 also passes by the village and connects Le Lion-d’Angers and Mayenne. The destinations help distinguish the two routes: Angers and Rennes are the key points for the D775, while Le Lion-d’Angers and Mayenne are those for the N162.
For individual pony rides, remember that a reservation is required.
Discover more destinations: Neuillé, Artannes-Sur-Thouet, Jallais, Saint-Aubin-De-Luigné, Saint-Georges-des-Sept-Voies, Distré, La Ménitré, Ambillou-Château
Return to the main travel overview: Maine-Et-Loire.
