Discover Artannes-Sur-Thouet

Artannes-Sur-Thouet combines historic structures with opportunities along the Thouet. If you are looking for hotels in the area, it helps to decide in advance what you want to focus on during your stay: architectural history, megalithic structures, walks, cycling, or paddling. The themes range from a Neolithic menhir to the building phases of the Église Saint-Pierre, offering different starting points for planning your trip.

Église Saint-Pierre and its architectural history

The Église Saint-Pierre is protected as a Monument historique; this protection was established by decree on 16 November 1984. Its main building phases date to the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries, as well as the 18th century. These dates offer insight into the church’s long architectural history without reducing it to a single period. This sequence is particularly interesting if you want to focus on cultural history: the church brings together important building phases from several centuries.

One of its distinctive architectural features is a bell gable, described as unusual in Anjou. It has two arched openings and one bell. This brief description makes the bell gable a specific detail to look out for alongside the church’s documented architectural history. The information about the church thus serves different purposes: the centuries indicate its building phases, while the arched openings and bell describe a single architectural feature.

Megalithic bridges and Pierre-Fiche

The two megalithic bridges can also be distinguished by their construction. The first is at the foot of the village. It consists of two large, hard stone slabs, six and four metres long and each one metre wide. The slabs are supported by a central pier and two abutments. The second bridge is a little downstream from the La Motte mill. Here, a single stone slab forms the crossing, along with abutments and a central pier. The first bridge is therefore described in terms of two slabs and three supports, while the second features one slab and its supporting structure.

Pierre-Fiche is a Neolithic granite menhir just under 4.5 metres high. It is visible from the public road. Together with the megalithic bridges, it adds another subject to the historic structures: Pierre-Fiche is a single menhir, while the bridges are characterised by their slabs and supporting elements.

On foot, by bike, or on the water

At the Pierre-Fiche stop, you can join a 26-kilometre section of the “Thouet à vélo” route. It runs from Saumur to Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay. Its length and endpoints give you a concrete reference point for planning a cycling stage. As route conditions can change, check them before setting off.

The Thouet also offers opportunities for walks and bike rides in the Artannes valley. There are also quiet, picturesque spots with picnic areas. This gives you several ways to plan your time: a named cycling route with a stated length, walks and bike rides in the valley, and places where you can plan a picnic. If you want to stay active by the river, you can consider which of these options best complements your travel plans.

Canoeing and kayaking are also available on the Thouet. A tourism listing, last updated on 27 July 2026, names Thouet Kayaks, which rents canoes and kayaks on the Thouet in Artannes-Sur-Thouet. The listing includes canoes for two or three people and single kayaks. Operating details and equipment availability may change; check both before making plans.

You can tailor your trip to different interests: the Église Saint-Pierre and the megalithic structures offer historical and architectural themes, while the route, river valley, and paddling options provide a range of activities.

Discover more destinations: Sainte-Gemmes-d'Andigné, Turquant, Seiches-Sur-Le-Loir, Chemillé-Melay, Pruillé, Chemiré-sur-Sarthe, Saint-Rémy-En-Mauges, Saint-Martin-du-Bois.

For the broader travel overview: Maine-Et-Loire.