Mazières-en-Gâtine can be explored through several specific themes: the Church of Saint-Barnabé and the Château du Petit Chêne represent different historic buildings, while La Rand'eau focuses on water and various aspects of heritage. The Belvédère des Rouleaux explains the production and use of aggregates. Golf and two trail routes round out these themes. You can choose to focus on architectural history, water, building materials, golf or a greenway route.
Church of Saint-Barnabé: two historical periods
Two historical periods can be distinguished at the Church of Saint-Barnabé. It was built in the late 11th and early 12th centuries; only the apse from that period remains. Inside, there is also a well-preserved funeral band from the 17th century. The apse thus represents the surviving part of the early construction period, while the funeral band is a much later feature. The church is open for visits every day outside of services.
Château du Petit Chêne: construction history and outdoor areas
The Château du Petit Chêne is a 17th-century building, remodeled in the 19th century and built in the Louis XIII style. The construction period and subsequent remodeling mark two distinct phases; the style designation adds to its architectural classification. Unlike the Church of Saint-Barnabé, which is open for visits every day outside of services, free visits to the château are limited to the outdoor areas.
Belvédère des Rouleaux: aggregates explained
The Belvédère des Rouleaux offers a different focus from the church and château. It explains the various stages in the production of aggregates and their use in road construction and the building industry. This highlights both how the material is produced and two areas where it is used. The former spoil heap at the Belvédère des Rouleaux and the adjacent car park are freely accessible. Check access before your visit.
La Rand'eau and Vélo Francette: different types of routes
La Rand'eau is a 4 km circular trail around the village centre of Mazières-en-Gâtine, dedicated to the theme of water. Along the route, you can discover built, natural, industrial and human heritage; the trail has no particular difficulties. It brings these four perspectives together under a shared theme. The Vélo Francette offers a different type of route: a short section runs along a greenway in Mazières-en-Gâtine. The routes therefore differ in that one is a circular trail around the village centre, while the other is a short section of the Vélo Francette greenway.
Golf in the Gâtine landscape
The Golf du Petit Chêne course has 18 holes and is located in the grounds of the Château du Petit Chêne, in the Gâtine landscape. The number of holes indicates the size of the course, while the château grounds and the Gâtine landscape describe its setting. As operating conditions may change, check the latest information before planning a round of golf.
Discover more destinations: L'absie, Boussais, Augé, Le Bourdet, La Chapelle-Saint-Laurent, Massais, Clussais-La-Pommeraie, Vallans
For the broader travel overview: Deux-Sèvres.
