Saint-Benoît-du-Sault
This is the second of the « Loveliest Villages in France » in the Indre department. Situated at the meeting point of Berry and Limousin, this ancient medieval village once inhabited by Benedictine monks is perched on a granite rock overlooking the River Portefeuille. Spectacular views guaranteed !
Saint-Benoît-du-Sault, one of the « Loveliest Villages in France »on the border of Berry and Limousin
This is the second of the « Loveliest Villages in France » in the Indre department. Situated at the meeting point of Berry and Limousin, this ancient medieval village once inhabited by Benedictine monks is perched on a granite rock overlooking the River Portefeuille. Spectacular views guaranteed !
Saint-Benoît-du-Sault is a wonderful place for a stroll around the steep, narrow streets within its walls. Founded at the end of the 10th century, the Priory of Saint-Benoît-du-Sault was an advanced post for the Abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire in Aquitaine. It was along this frontier between the Pays d’Oc and Pays d’Oil, in the south of Berry, that the rivalry between France and England was played out for over a hundred years. The orange tone of its buildings gives a special kind of warmth to this delightful village which has kept its proud medieval appearance. Stroll around and enjoy it !
Visit Saint-Benoît-du-Sault within the ramparts
The tourist office organises guided tours. Jeanne, servant to the ‘argentier du roy’(royal finance officer) and Guillaume the blacksmith take you around the alleyways, through the different gateways to the Pre-Romanesque church, along the rampart walk and Rue Sous-le-Mur with its mule ramp steps, past the ‘argentier’s’ house. Although the original priory was built in the 10th century, the present one dates from the 18th century. Constructed on a rocky peak, it was fortified in the past to protect the dozen Benedictine monks who lived there. Today all types of exhibitions are held there. The church of Saint-Benoît is definitely worth a visit for its beautiful 13th century granite font and the village has some fine 15th and 16th buildings like the Maison de l’Argentier and Le Portail, the impressive fortified gateway. In summer the church and priory echo to the sound of music during two festivals. The Festival Eva Ganizate of lyrical and instrumental music whose patron in 2018 was Isabelle Adjani and the Festival of baroque music, Le Temps Suspendu – take your choice !
A short distance from the village of Saint-Benoît-du-Sault, the Dolmen de Passebonneau and Dolmen des Gorges are examples of far more ancient history.
The area around Saint-Benoît-du-Sault and beyond the Vallée de l’Anglin
After Saint-Benoît-du-Sault, follow the road through the gorges to Chaillac and the Vallée de l’Anglin. Hidden from view, the Moulin de Seillant is an enchanting place and an emblematic part of the local natural and architectural heritage. Nature classes are run there all year round in the pretty, restored mill. A farm in the village of Chaillac houses the very modern Musée de la Minéralogie which has a collection of minerals, unique in the region, including exceptionally fine specimens of barite and fluorite from the village. Now for a change of scene with the Château Guillaume in Lignac, an imposing, majestic castle surrounded by greenery and imbued with calm and serenity, which has been watching over the village and the valley for centuries. The castle was founded by Guillaume X, Comte du Poitou, Duke of Aquitaine and father of Eleanor who was born here. Don’t forget to look at the beautifully preserved hamlet next to it, especially the houses with steps grouped around the little Romanesque church.
There is a 1.7km discovery trail around the village and castle. At another village, Bélâbre, hire a canoe form the Office de Tourisme and paddle up the River Anglin to admire the Château de Forges at Concremiers and the feudal Château d’Ingrandes. On the other side of Saint-Benoît-du-Sault there is yet another valley ! The Creuse Valley attracted artists like the Romantic writer George Sand, the poet Maurice Rollinat and also painters from the « Ecole de Crozant-Gargilesse et de Fresselines », among them, Claude Monet.
The valley begins at Argenton-sur-Creuse, nicknamed « La Venise Verte du Berry (Leafy Venice of Berry) », which succeeded the Gallo-Roman town of Argentomagus. You are sure to love the artists’ village of Gargilesse-Dampierre, one of the « Loveliest Villages in France » and the ruins of the Château de Crozant. Have fun on the water at Lac d’Eguzon with its many beaches and water sports facilities and enjoy the hundreds of kilometres of footpaths around the lake leading to amazing viewpoints like « La Boucle du Pin » and « Le Rocher des Fileuses ». Food-wise, make sure you try ‘pâté Berrichon’ an emblematic dish of the Berry province and delicious served hot or cold with salad !
« The footpath at Moulin de Seillant is great fun for children who can jump from stone to stone » says Maud propriétaire, owner of Albizia gite at Prissac.
How to get here. By road : under 3 hours from Paris via A20 Paris-Toulouse autoroute (toll-free in the Indre département). By train to Argenton sur Creuse or La Souterraine (both 20 minutes away). By air to Limoges (south) or Châteauroux (north), both under an hour away."
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