A granite menhir almost 4.5 metres high, a church with building phases spanning the 11th to the 18th century, and two megalithic bridges offer different historical points of interest in Artannes-Sur-Thouet. The Thouet and its valley also offer opportunities for walks, cycling, picnics and paddling. When planning a stay, both cultural history and time by the river take centre stage.

Stone Monuments and Church Architecture

Pierre-Fiche is a Neolithic granite menhir, almost 4.5 metres high. A menhir is a large, upright stone; Pierre-Fiche thus combines a classification dating it to the Neolithic period, its stone material and a specific height. The menhir is visible from the public road. For anyone interested in prehistoric monuments, these features offer a concise introduction to the history of the place.

The Église Saint-Pierre takes visitors to a different era: its main building phases span the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries through to the 18th century. The church is protected as a historic monument, with its protection established by decree on 16 November 1984. Its bell structure is also striking: unusual for Anjou, it has two arched openings and one bell. The different building phases and this distinctive feature give the church more than one historical point of interest.

Comparing Two Megalithic Bridges

The first megalithic bridge is at the foot of the village. Two large, hard stone slabs form the crossing: one is 6 metres long and the other 4 metres; both are 1 metre wide. They rest on a central pier and two bank-side piers. The measurements and supports make the structure easy to understand.

The second megalithic bridge is a little downstream from the La Motte mill. It consists of a single stone slab, abutments and a central pier. A direct comparison reveals two different designs: here, two slabs of different lengths rest on central and bank-side piers; there, a single slab is supported by abutments and a central pier. Anyone interested in construction methods will find a concrete difference, rather than just two similar names on a sightseeing list.

Walking and Cycling by the Thouet

The Thouet in the Artannes valley offers opportunities for walks and cycling. There are also peaceful, picturesque spots by the river with picnic areas. This makes it possible to combine exercise by the water with a break; the focus is quite different from exploring the church, menhir and bridges.

The Pierre-Fiche stop is also relevant when planning a cycling trip. From there, you can ride a 26-kilometre section of the “Thouet à vélo” route, which runs from Saumur to Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay. Its length and endpoints help you assess the section as a ride in its own right. As route conditions can change, check them before setting out.

Canoeing and Kayaking on the River

Thouet Kayaks rents canoes and kayaks on the Thouet in Artannes-Sur-Thouet. The rental options include canoes for two or three people, as well as single kayaks. The boat types therefore also differ in the number of people they are intended for: when planning, you can ask whether a shared canoe or a single kayak better suits your plans. Operating details and availability of the desired boat category may change; check the latest information before making plans.

Whether you are interested in a prehistoric menhir, a long building history, different bridge designs or activities on the river, Artannes-Sur-Thouet offers several distinct themes for a stay.

Discover more destinations: Chanzeaux, Daumeray, Chemiré-sur-Sarthe, Tigné, Noëllet, Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent, Turquant, Gennes

For the broader travel overview: Maine-Et-Loire.