Senillé brings together the history of tuffeau quarrying and a regionally significant winter roost for bats. Other highlights include a church with Romanesque features, a square with facilities for different age groups, and an annual mountain biking event. You can tailor your stay to your interests: the history of the quarries, the architectural history of the Église Saint-André, or a specific event date.
Underground quarries and bats
Les Pieds Grimaud, also known as the caves de la Feue, are former underground quarries. They were dug into limestone (tuffeau) in the 19th century, used as mushroom farms until the 1950s, and then abandoned. The network of tunnels is about 1,800 metres long and covers approximately four hectares.
The Carrières des Pieds Grimaud are also a regionally significant winter roost for bats. Almost 800 animals take refuge there each winter, although the number can vary seasonally. By number of individuals, the site ranks fourth in the region; 11 of the 22 species found in Poitou-Charentes have also been observed there. The ZNIEFF “Carrière des pieds Grimaud” is within the municipality, near the town centre. Access to the cave and nearby hunting grounds are to be preserved.
Layers of history at the Église Saint-André
The Église Saint-André de Senillé is first mentioned in an 11th-century cartulary, under the dedication to Saint Aubin. Its original structure comprised a Romanesque nave and a flat-ended choir dating from the 12th century. The two dates refer to different things: the 11th century marks the first mention, while the 12th century dates the described original architecture. The third arcade contains a retable altar dating from 1767, made of painted and gilded wood. Its year of creation adds a later, clearly dated point of reference to the early building history.
Place Vaudreching and crossing the town centre
A municipal description of Place Vaudreching, updated on 18 February 2021, lists play equipment for children aged 3 to 6 and three fitness machines for adults. It also lists two boules courts and benches. The age specifications distinguish the play area for younger children from the fitness equipment for adults; the boules courts and benches provide facilities for other kinds of breaks.
An accessible route connects Rue de Vaudreching, on the cemetery side, with the church square on Rue du Berry. The link allows pedestrians and people with reduced mobility to cross the town centre safely. If your plans depend on this route or on specific facilities, check their current condition before your visit.
Circuit des Forts or Rando VTT?
The Circuit des Forts starts on Rue du Berry, at the car park on Place Palousier, not far from the church. Along the way, you can visit some local producers. As individual producers’ availability may vary, it is best to confirm a specific visit in advance. The “Sport Détente” association also organises the Rando VTT des 7 Bosses every year on the last weekend of August. The difference is clear when planning: for the Circuit, the starting point and possible producer visits are the main considerations; for the Rando, it is the recurring event date. If you are travelling for the event, check the exact dates for the year in question.
Discover more destinations: Rouillé, Nalliers, Sillars, Migné-Auxances, Berrie, Monthoiron, Ranton, Persac.
For the broader travel overview: Vienne.
