Bonnemain: Mill History, Churches and Nature

Historic buildings and a designated walking route give Bonnemain a range of things to explore during a stay. Cultural highlights include the watermill Moulin à eau de La Chaise, the parish church of Saint-Martin, Saint-Samson, and a group of monumental crosses. Nature highlights include the Circuit des Étangs, the Étang de La Sablonnière and its wildlife. If you are looking for a hotel in Bonnemain, these points of interest can help you plan your days there.

Mills, Church and Crosses

The Moulin à eau de La Chaise dates from the 16th century and is one of the oldest still-visible watermills in the Ille-et-Vilaine département. Its granite-built weir has been preserved. Nearby is a small structure classified as a fishing installation; the waterwheel has been removed. The site therefore brings together a surviving feature of the watermill and equipment that is no longer there.

The present-day parish church of Saint-Martin, Saint-Samson was rebuilt from 1883 onward. It is a Neo-Gothic building with a Latin-cross floor plan and rib vaults. Another historic architectural feature is the portal of the former enclosure of Bonnemain church: it dates from the 14th century and was rebuilt at the entrance to the present-day cemetery. The church and portal represent different periods and functions.

Bonnemain also has a significant group of monumental crosses. The Croix de La Ville Blanche is a granite wayside cross with a figure niche set into it. The Croix de La Haute Barbotaie is dated 1541 and is the oldest cross in Bonnemain. Those interested in religious buildings will find smaller, independent forms of cultural heritage here as well as the parish church.

Walking Route, Pond and Nature

The Circuit des Étangs is 9 kilometres long, with an estimated duration of about 2 hours and 15 minutes. This approximate time helps you judge how to fit the walk into your day. The route passes through the Domaine des Ormes, a tourist complex with a golf course, campsite, tree houses, hotel and equestrian centre. If you are interested in any of the facilities mentioned, check their individual offerings before your trip.

A 2022 description gives the Étang de La Sablonnière’s area as 4.3 hectares and describes its seasonal use for fishing: from the beginning of October to the end of May, or eight months of the year, the pond is reserved for fly-fishing; in summer, all forms of fishing are permitted. Check local conditions before visiting. The pond is also a habitat for dragonflies, great crested grebes, mallards and Eurasian coots.

Storytelling Walk and Getting There

Bonnemain’s events committee organizes a storytelling walk every year. If you would like to include the event in your travel plans, check the current programme. This distinguishes the annually organized walk from a specific event date.

The TER-BreizhGo line Rennes–Montreuil-sur-Ille–Dol-de-Bretagne–Saint-Malo serves Bonnemain as one of 14 stations visited daily. Check the current timetable before travelling. When choosing what to focus on at your destination, you can weigh up architectural history, walking and nature by the pond; the stated duration of the Circuit des Étangs provides a concrete timeframe. When looking for hotels in Bonnemain, you can align your choice with your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Étrelles, Torcé, Landéan, Miniac-Morvan, Quédillac, Saint-Méen-le-Grand, Le Rheu, Lohéac.

Go to the broader travel overview: Ille-Et-Vilaine.