サン＝ドニ＝ダンジューのおすすめMTBライド

The Cistercian Abbey of Bellebranche is a former Cistercian monastery founded in 1152 by the lords of Sablé. The abbey is located in the town of Saint-Brice, surrounded by woods and ponds. You can discover the remains of medieval buildings, such as the cloister, dormitory and church, and admire the classic 18th century facade of the abbey. The abbey also hosts cultural events and exhibitions throughout the year. The abbey is open to visitors from April to October, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Mondays. The entrance fee is 5 euros for adults and 3 euros for children.

The Bellebranche National Forest is a remnant of a larger forest which was cleared for the needs of the Navy. It extends over 140 hectares and is surrounded by a beautiful bocage. It also borders the Curécy pond, where you can observe migratory birds from a small observatory. The forest has an educational trail that explains its history and biodiversity. You can access the forest from the villages of Bouère or Saint-Brice, where you can also visit the remains of an old Cistercian abbey. The Bellebranche National Forest is a privileged place to enjoy nature and discover the local heritage.

The Étang de Curécy is a beautiful pond which was once part of a series of seven ponds belonging to the Bellebranche Abbey. The monks practiced fish farming there. Today, these ponds serve as a refuge for migratory birds. A small observatory located on the shore and accessible to all allows you to appreciate the view of the water and the surrounding vegetation. The Curécy Pond is part of a larger natural area which includes the Bellebranche forest and its bocage, where rare plants and animals can be found.

At the beginning of the 11th century it was a Benedictine abbey. It is worth visiting, but also crossing the river to admire it from its elevated position.

This Gothic mansion was started in earnest in 1490. It then gave up its military function and, like many other buildings of its type in the region, it became a manor house in the new style of Louis XII.

Built in the 13th century, the Manoir de la Cour is one of the rare examples of a civil building from this period that is still well preserved. It has been restored and now houses a permanent exhibition on the history of the building in the Middle Ages.

The mill dates from the 10th century. The lords of Champagne allowed the inhabitants of the parish to use the mill for a fee. In the 19th century, three wheels were in service. The smallest was used to grind oak or chestnut bark to tan hides. The other two wheels were used to produce flour. The mill has been beautifully restored over the past decade.

But at the beginning of the 11th century, this abbey was a Benedictine abbey. It is worth visiting it, but also crossing the river and admiring the abbey from this grandiose angle.