Saint-Paul-du-Bois offers a cultural focal point in the Chapelle de Haute Foy and a practical choice of two hiking trails of different lengths to suit your schedule. At the chapel, a building history dating back to around the 13th century, an annual pilgrimage that still takes place today, and a wooden viewpoint overlooking the surrounding area come together. Geocaching, beach volleyball and a behind-the-scenes look at the work of an amateur theatre company round out the options. To plan your trip, start by deciding whether a particular date, a hike or a cultural experience should be the deciding factor.
Chapelle de Haute Foy: History and Pilgrimage
The Chapelle de Haute Foy was built around the 13th century. Two stained-glass windows dedicated to the Vendée Wars date from 1957. This brings together two historical periods at the chapel: the approximate origins of the building and a much later commemoration of the Vendée Wars. There is also a wooden viewpoint at the chapel, offering views across the surrounding area. The building’s history and the dedication of the windows provide a historical focus; the viewpoint complements it with views of the surroundings.
On 15 August, the chapel still welcomes more than 2,000 pilgrims each year. The recurring pilgrimage adds a present-day, calendar-specific connection to the building’s history and stained-glass windows. If you would like to plan your trip around this date, check the current programme in advance. This makes it possible to include a specific pilgrimage date in your travel plans and distinguish it from the chapel’s historical associations.
Choose a Hike to Suit Your Available Time
The green-marked Sentier de la chapelle is 17 km long and takes about 4 hours 30 minutes. The blue-marked Sentier des Bois de la Gaubertière is a 10 km circular trail with a walking time of about 2 hours 20 minutes. The routes differ by 7 km, and their estimated walking times by around 2 hours 10 minutes. This gives you a practical basis for choosing according to the time you have available for hiking: the Sentier de la chapelle is the longer option, while the 10 km circular trail is shorter. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
More Leisure Activities
Geocaching is one of the fun leisure activities in Saint-Paul-du-Bois; individual caches may change. The Aire de Pique-nique et Plan d'eau de la Fontaine de Boisdon has beach volleyball courts. Alongside the hiking trails, this offers a choice between a playful treasure hunt and beach volleyball as different types of activity. Geocaching is based on a fun search, while beach volleyball offers a specific sporting focus.
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Theatre
At Costumes et Théâtre Saint-Paul-du-Bois, visitors can discover the world behind the scenes and learn how the renowned amateur theatre company works. The contrast with the chapel is clear: the chapel is about building history, pilgrimage and views, while the theatre offers a look at the world of the stage and amateur theatre. Check the booking arrangements before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Durtal, Châteauneuf-Sur-Sarthe, Trémont, Champtocé-Sur-Loire, Montsoreau, Pruillé, Coutures, Blaison-Gohier.
For the broader travel overview: Maine-Et-Loire.
