Saint-Aubin-De-Bonneval offers specific points of interest for different types of travellers: a 24-kilometre circular walking route, architectural history and a farm with a shop. When planning your visit, consider whether you want to focus on a longer hike, architecture and culture, or regional produce.
Hiking a 24-kilometre circular route
The “L'église millénaire et la Croix au Chat” hiking trail is a 24-kilometre circular walking route that leads to the cemetery of Saint-Aubin-de-Bonneval. Its length and circular format make it a dedicated hiking activity, rather than a short walk between two sightseeing stops. If you are visiting mainly to hike, the route can shape your day’s itinerary; the cemetery is the specific destination named along the way. This information helps you assess how the route fits into your stay without estimating how long the walk will take.
Architecture and building history
At Château de Bonneval, brickwork with stone infill, half-timbering, brick as a building material, and earth come together. The different construction methods and materials draw attention to the building’s structure and offer architecture enthusiasts a different focus from the long walk.
Another historical detail concerns the former dwelling of the farm at Château de Bonneval: it is thought to be a remnant of the manor house that preceded the château, and appears to date from the 16th century. The uncertainty about its former function goes hand in hand with the tentative dating. The church of Saint-Aubin also has a distinctive feature: its nave has a boarded vault with a pointed-arch cross-section. The pointed arch describes the shape, while the boarding describes how the vault is constructed.
Artistic collaboration
Les Arts Improvisés was founded in 1993 by Camel Zekri and Dominique Chevaucher. The association brings together artists from several continents to create contemporary works and runs an artist residency programme in Saint-Aubin-de-Bonneval. This adds an institutional and artistic perspective to the architectural history: as you explore, you can distinguish between historical building details and contemporary collaboration. The specific format of individual programmes may vary.
Agriculture and produce
Ferme de Bonneval is an organic, diversified dairy farm in Saint-Aubin-de-Bonneval. Its farm shop offers fresh dairy products as well as pork and beef packages available to order. It also sells artisan preserves, including rillettes and other pâtés. This means several types of produce are available: fresh dairy products, meat packages that can be ordered, and preserved products. If you have a particular purchase in mind, check that the item you want is available before your visit; products and farm operations may change.
Planning your accommodation
As part of rural tourism, the municipality has gîtes and guest rooms for travellers. As availability may change, check accommodation for your travel dates before making a decision.
Discover more destinations: Essay, Vieux-Pont, Berd'huis, Le Mêle-Sur-Sarthe, Rânes, Neuvy-Au-Houlme, Damigny, La Forêt-Auvray.
For the broader travel overview: Orne.
