Discover Genneton: Nature, Church and Horse Activities

Genneton: Nature, Architectural History and Horse Activities

Genneton offers several specific themes to consider when planning a trip: the Bois de Beaurepaire natural area, the architectural history of Saint Hilaire Church, agricultural products and horse-related activities. They differ not only in subject matter, but also in how you can plan for them. If you are weighing up nature and culture, you will find an ecological point of reference and a clearly dated church history here; shopping and horse activities also involve specific ordering or appointment requirements. This means you can tailor your search for a hotel in Genneton to what matters to you on your trip.

Natural Area and Neo-Gothic Church

The Bois de Beaurepaire is a natural area in Genneton classified as a ZNIEFF Type 1. This classification is part of biodiversity monitoring and may be updated. For trip planning, it offers a nature-related point of reference, without implying that an interest in nature and an interest in church architecture are one and the same: one concerns the ecological classification of an area, while the other concerns the architecture and history of a specific building.

Saint Hilaire Church in Genneton is Neo-Gothic and dedicated to Saint Hilaire. It was completely rebuilt from 1860, with construction continuing until 1878. On 6 May 1878, Monseigneur Pie, the Bishop of Poitiers, consecrated the church. The year 1860 therefore marks the start of the new construction, while 1878 marks its completion and the consecration.

The building’s features also give a clear impression of its design: the stone spire is 45 metres high, and there are four small turrets. The term “Neo-Gothic” places the building within an architectural movement; its height, material and turrets add precise details to this classification. If you take architectural history and design into account when choosing a destination, Saint Hilaire offers more than just a name: its construction period, consecration and appearance can be clearly distinguished.

Products and Shopping at La Ferme de Mathurille

La Ferme de Mathurille produces and sells oven-ready chickens and guinea fowl, as well as lamb. Lamb is available in a range of cuts: half a lamb, a whole leg roast or a boned leg. The farm also produces feed and grain using organic farming methods.

Specific advance arrangements apply to purchases made directly from the farm: orders must be placed in advance and an appointment must be made, with orders due two weeks ahead. Other outlets include the pot’é BIO producers’ shop in Sainte Radégonde des Pommiers and AMAPs in Breuil-Chaussée, Thouars, Chiché and St-Pierre-à-Champ. Outlets and ordering requirements may change. Check the current options before placing an order, and make an appointment if you want to buy directly from the farm.

Shopping here is therefore different from a spontaneous stop: to collect your order from the farm, the order, lead time and appointment must all line up. The listed outlets offer other ways to buy the products, but should not be assumed to be close to one another. If local produce is important to your trip planning, you can take these arrangements into account in advance.

Carriage Rides and Horse-Riding Lessons

Les Écuries de Saint Nicolas offers a horse-drawn carriage ride in Genneton for ten people. Reservations are required. Current opening hours are not guaranteed, so confirm your preferred time with the provider in advance.

The Club hippique Argentonnais offers horse-riding lessons in Genneton for all levels, on horses and ponies. Lessons are available for both leisure riding and competition. Opening hours are not guaranteed, so contact the provider before your visit.

The club also offers adapted sessions for people with disabilities, older people or those who are ill, as well as people in a particular or difficult life situation. Sessions are tailored to individual needs and preferences. Discuss the arrangements you are looking for directly with the provider and confirm availability in advance. This lets you choose between the different options: a carriage ride for ten people that requires a reservation, horse-riding lessons on horses or ponies, and individually adapted sessions.

Discover more destinations: Niort, Saint-Pardoux, La Chapelle-Pouilloux, Fressines, Azay-le-Brûlé, La Chapelle-Thireuil, Saint-Martin-de-Saint-Maixent, Exoudun

For the broader travel overview: Deux-Sèvres.