Saint-Aubin-D'aubigné: Churches, Trails and Local History

Saint-Aubin-D'aubigné brings together architectural history and several different routes. The parish church, château, market hall and lime kilns represent different periods of local history; at the municipal pond, nature and outdoor activities take centre stage. When planning your visit, you can decide whether you are most interested in historic buildings, the weekly market or an outdoor activity.

Church Architecture and Château History

The Saint-Aubin parish church was built between 1894 and 1899 to plans by architect Arthur Regnault. Its stone spire is 58 metres high. The history of the former parish church is also noteworthy: remnants dating from the 11th century were preserved in the north wall of its nave. Saint-Aubin-D'aubigné's church history thus spans everything from medieval remains to a church built in the late 19th century.

The château is also one of the town's historic landmarks. It has been mentioned since the 13th century. The west pavilion appears to date from the 17th century. These different dates make the château a distinct part of local history, alongside the later parish church. The pavilion's historical dating remains tentative: it appears to date from this period.

Market Hall, Washhouse and Lime Kilns

The industrial history can be seen at the Le Bois-Roux site. Three coal-fired lime kilns were built there from 1857 onwards. Production continued until the beginning of the Second World War. This gives a sense of the site's long period of use, from the construction of the kilns to the end of production.

The market hall was built following a contract awarded in 1853. The entrepreneur Thominé from Rennes constructed it under the direction of departmental architect Charles Langlois. Today, the former market hall houses the library. The weekly market is held separately: it takes place on Tuesdays from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at Place des Halles. If you would like to plan your visit around it, check the current market times before travelling.

The covered municipal washhouse was completed in 1906 and later restored through an international youth volunteering project. Together with the market hall and lime kilns, it complements the area's religious architecture with examples of community life and local work.

Trails by the Municipal Pond and Tours

The biodiversity trail by the municipal pond uses information boards to help visitors explore the local flora and fauna. It is 1.5 km long and takes an estimated 1 hour and 30 minutes. The elevation gain is 10 m, and the trail is accessible to everyone. Trail details may change; check the latest information before setting out.

There are two walking routes: a short one of 5 km and a longer one of 17.3 km. The mountain biking routes are 19 km and 27 km long; both follow route number 22. You can start by choosing the activity and distance that suit you.

Another option is the “La forêt d’Arthur” geocaching route, best completed by car or bicycle. It includes visits to churches in Liffré, Gosné and Saint-Aubin-D'aubigné. The RD 175 is also a useful reference point for getting there: this dual carriageway connects Saint-Aubin-D'aubigné to the Rennes ring road. Check the latest trail details and market times before planning your visit.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Montfort-Sur-Meu, Piré-sur-Seiche, Romillé, Vieux-Viel, Meillac, Villamée, Guichen, Pipriac.

For the overview of the wider area: Ille-Et-Vilaine.