Discover Saint-Benoît-Des-Ondes

Saint-Benoît-Des-Ondes brings together local church and coastal history with two specific activity themes: the La Vélomaritime circular route and kayaking experiences on the Canal des Allemands. The parish church features a date and preserved furnishings; at the fisheries, a fishing method linked to the ebb and flow of the tides is explained.

Church and furnishings

The year 1855 is inscribed above the south side door of the nave of the Église paroissiale Saint-Benoît in Saint-Benoît-Des-Ondes. Another historical detail concerns the church renovation, which began in 1786. The reredos, or altarpiece, and the painting of the Last Supper were preserved during the work. The inscription on the side door and the renovation history offer different perspectives: one gives a specific date, while the other records the preservation of two furnishings during a renovation. For travellers interested in culture, this offers both architectural and art-historical themes within the same church.

Fisheries and coastal history

The fisheries give the coastal theme its own distinctive terminology. They are enclosures on the seashore that fall dry at low tide and catch fish carried in by the incoming tide; the catch is therefore tied to the change of tides. A royal edict of 1732 lists five fisheries in the parish of Saint-Benoît-Des-Ondes: “La Brie”, “La Roussette”, “Le Bas-Champ” and two others named “La Pauvrette”. The historical list includes five structures with four different names, because “La Pauvrette” is listed twice. Today, only one fishery is still in operation in Saint-Benoît-Des-Ondes. The historical names and present-day operation offer two perspectives on this coastal tradition.

Cycling route on La Vélomaritime

For cyclists, the La Vélomaritime circular route “Entre polders et herbus en Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel” provides a practical framework for planning. It starts and ends in Saint-Benoît-Des-Ondes and covers approximately 70 kilometres over three days. The approximate total distance and three-day timeframe help you gauge the scale and time required for the route. The route is fully signposted, with signs bearing the La Vélomaritime logo. Parking for the route is available on Rue du Bord de Mer, near the town hall.

Kayaking experiences on the Canal des Allemands

Kayaking experiences are available on the Canal des Allemands, departing from Saint-Benoît-Des-Ondes. The municipalities of Saint-Benoît-Des-Ondes and Saint-Guinoux offer them in cooperation with Char en Baie. Char en Baie rents out two-person kayaks, with departures from Saint-Benoît-Des-Ondes. The canal was originally a defensive structure intended to prevent the Allies from advancing towards Saint-Malo. The Canal des Allemands is therefore connected both to kayaking experiences and to its former defensive purpose. Confirm the offer’s availability and booking conditions before your trip.

For planning your trip, the differences are clear: the circular route has an approximate distance and a three-day timeframe; for kayaking, two-person boats and the departure point are specified, while availability should be confirmed in advance. This lets you weigh cultural history, multi-day cycling and kayaking as different focuses for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Dol-De-Bretagne, Treffendel, Saint-Suliac, Bazouges-La-Pérouse, Saint-Coulomb, Chauvigné, La Chapelle-De-Brain, Hirel.

For the broader travel overview: Ille-Et-Vilaine.