Saint-Gildas-des-Bois: Abbey Church, History and Bernugat

In Saint-Gildas-des-Bois, architectural and local history sit alongside opportunities to enjoy nature and outdoor activities. Cultural highlights include the abbey church, Le Fruitier, the Calvaire de Bernugat and the history of the Ferme Ecole. In Bernugat, forest trails, a quarry and a range of activities offer further things to explore. When choosing a hotel destination, consider whether architectural history, the landscape or a particular activity will shape your stay most.

Abbey Church and Historic Buildings

The abbey church (Eglise abbatiale) was built in the late 12th century as a Romanesque building, following the principles of the Benedictine order. It was constructed using iron-rich sandstone known as “roussard”. The building period, architectural style and material each offer different insights into the history of the building. The abbey church can be visited on a guided tour or independently. Check opening details before your trip if you plan to visit.

Le Fruitier is a building constructed in 1890 beside the choir of the abbey church, and today serves as an exhibition space for artists. Two different aspects of the town’s history can thus be seen side by side: Romanesque religious architecture and the building’s later use as an exhibition space.

Calvaire and the Landscape in Bernugat

The Calvaire de Bernugat was erected in 1886 on the heights of Bernugat by the parish priest of Saint-Gildas-des-Bois. Three crosses were installed there on October 22 of the same year. Today, a statue of the “Ecce Homo” stands where one of the former crosses once stood.

The 96-hectare Bernugat forest has a fitness trail and games for children. Bernugat also has paths through a pine forest, picnic spots and a quarry that has been refilled with water. Blue water lies beside ochre-coloured rocks. Forest trails and a striking landscape of rocks and water offer distinct natural highlights.

Circular Routes and Orienteering

The Circuit des Pins is an easy 3.6-kilometre circular route, with a stated duration of 36 minutes. After the quarry, the route offers views of the abbey church tower and the Saint-Nazaire bridge in good weather. Its length, duration and circular format give the route a clearly defined time frame.

The Course d’orientation Bernugat offers compass, star, marker-hunting and points-scoring formats. In total, 20 markers are spread across three locations. On the Circuit de la Croix-Rouge, you can stop at the Four des Métairies, which offers panoramic views across the commune of Saint-Gildas-des-Bois. The activities therefore offer different emphases: an easy loop with a stated duration, several orienteering formats, and a named stopping point with a panorama.

The History of the Ferme Ecole

The Ferme Ecole was founded in 1849 and trained hundreds of young people in agriculture for 25 years. It later became a producer of milk, butter and cheese products, which were exported to several European countries. The chapel of the Ferme Ecole was restored with the help of trainees and stonemasons. Its eight-metre-high spire was erected in 2009. The foundation, period of agricultural training, later commercial use and restoration thus add further chapters to the town’s history, alongside the architectural history of the abbey church and the story of the Calvaire.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Philbert-De-Grand-Lieu, Saint-Julien-De-Concelles, Touvois, Saint-Nazaire, Rouans, Pornic, Prinquiau, Corsept.

For the overview of the wider region: Loire-Atlantique.