Benon: Forest Landscapes, Hiking Trails and Cultural Heritage

Benon is located in the Parc Naturel Régional du Marais poitevin. Extensive forests and natural habitats define the land cover; the Forêt de Benon and two named hiking trails provide specific points of reference for this natural setting. The Église Saint-Pierre and the Tour des Six Sots are also part of planning a trip. If you’re looking for a hotel in Benon, you can decide which themes to prioritize based on whether you’d rather focus your stay on the forest, trails or local cultural heritage.

Forest Landscapes in the Marais poitevin

The Forêt de Benon covers 3,300 hectares and is predominantly deciduous forest. Downy oaks are the main feature of the woodland; ash and maple trees are also found there. This gives the landscape a more precise profile than a general reference to nature: one tree species defines the forest, while two others are also present. Together with the extensive forests and natural habitats, this describes Benon’s natural setting beyond any single trail. The figures answer different questions: 3,300 hectares refers to the area of the forest, while the distances in kilometres refer to the length of individual trails. You can therefore consider the forest landscape and specific routes as two different scales for planning your trip.

Forest History and Protected Status

In the 1990s, a 130-hectare recreational area and an arboretum were established in the Forêt de Benon. An arboretum is a collection of trees, complementing the recreational area with its own botanical focus. The part of the Forêt de Benon belonging to the Département is protected as a wildlife and hunting reserve and designated as an “Espace Naturel Sensible.” These protected designations expressly apply to the Département’s section; they do not apply generally to the entire Forêt de Benon.

Comparing Two Hiking Trails

The “Balade forestière à Benon” is a 4.5-kilometre shady hiking trail through the Forêt de Benon. The “Promenade des Pins” also runs through the forest and is almost two kilometres long. The comparison is clear: the Promenade des Pins is shorter, while the Balade forestière à Benon is more than twice as long and is also specifically described as shady. You can distinguish between the two trails by their length and a specific feature of the route.

The Church and Visiting the Tour des Six Sots

The Église Saint-Pierre offers a different focus from the forest and trails: it has a reredos and a carved wooden tabernacle. These furnishings give Benon’s cultural heritage a tangible form and are a point of interest if you want to include sacred art in your trip as well as nature. The Tour des Six Sots has a clear visiting condition: admission is free, but it can only be viewed from the outside. As this condition may change, it’s best to check before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Cyr-du-Doret, Jonzac, Saint-Pierre-D'oléron, Saint-Sauvant, Aytré, Saint-Médard-d'Aunis, Saint-Seurin-de-Palenne, Saint-Coutant-le-Grand.

For the broader travel overview: Charente-Maritime.