Servon-sur-Vilaine can be explored through two distinct themes: architectural and religious history, and nature. The Château du Gué dates from the 15th century, while the Église paroissiale Saint-Martin-de-Tours dates from the late 19th century. The Espace naturel de Pasdavy offers a different focus. When planning your visit, it is worth first considering whether you want to focus mainly on historic buildings, the landscape or both.
Churches, Chapels and Architectural History
The Église paroissiale Saint-Martin-de-Tours was built between 1880 and 1885 by the contractor Jean-Marie Huchet, following plans by architect Aristide Folie. It is designed in the neo-Gothic style and has a bell-tower porch on its façade. The construction dates place the church in its historical context, while the neo-Gothic style describes its architecture. The porch, in turn, is a distinctive feature of the façade. Together, these details offer a nuanced view of the church’s architecture, rather than describing it only in terms of its age.
The Château du Gué was built in the 15th century. The Oratoire Saint Mathurin has a different construction history: it was built on the site of a remnant of the original chapel, which had been destroyed during the construction of the railway. The two places therefore differ not only in their historical periods. At the Oratoire, the relationship between the chapel, the railway construction and the later oratory is also part of the site’s history.
The Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Délivrande was built in the 17th century and restored in 1928. Historically, it was a place of pilgrimage for people seeking relief from illness. The floor’s design is another distinct aspect of its history: it is attributed to the Odorico brothers. The construction period, religious use and decorative design thus offer different ways to explore the same chapel. If you are interested in religious history, its former role as a place of pilgrimage offers a different focus from its architectural details.
Natural Area and Walking Trail
In the Espace naturel de Pasdavy, the Vilaine flows through a green natural area. You can observe the local flora and fauna there. The area is also home to the ruins of the Moulin de Pas Davy and traces of its former mill channel. Nature observation and historic remains are found side by side here: you can focus on plants and animals or on the architectural traces of the former mill. This gives Pasdavy a different focus from the churches and chapels described above.
The Sentier de promenade N°13 – La boucle du Gué walking trail combines exploring Servon-sur-Vilaine’s heritage with discovering a natural area. If you would like to include both themes in your plans, this is a practical option. It differs from a stay focused mainly on individual buildings or on observing nature.
Planning Your Journey and Stay
Servon station is served by TER Bretagne on the Rennes–Vitré line. The journey to Rennes station takes about 15 minutes. This travel time is a guide for planning your journey; check the current TER timetable for your travel date before deciding on your connection.
Architectural and religious history offer one possible focus; Pasdavy brings together the landscape, flora and fauna, and the remains of the mill. The named walking trail combines heritage and a natural area.
Discover more destinations: Treffendel, Ercé-près-Liffré, La Nouaye, Betton, Le Verger, Renac, Muel, Le Tiercent.
See the regional travel overview: Ille-Et-Vilaine.
