Discover Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay

In Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay, you can shape your stay around different interests: the Église Saint-Martin, the Pont de Taizon and the Chapelle Notre-Dame des Neiges represent architectural and religious history, while La Ballastière offers a different focus, with leisure activities and trails. There are also walking and cycling routes with specified distances, as well as a viewpoint with panoramic views and a geological interpretation. This gives you a choice of heritage, activities by the pond and routes when planning your trip.

Church and bridge: cultural history

The Église Saint-Martin dates from the late 12th century and has preserved its original choir. It was classified as a French historic monument by decree dated 19 November 1910. The church also contains a Stations of the Cross fresco painted by Abel Pineau in 1947. This building thus brings together medieval fabric and a specifically dated work of 20th-century art.

The Pont de Taizon is a 13th-century Romanesque bridge over the Thouet and has been listed in the supplementary register of historic monuments since 1943. At the Commanderie de Prailles, the medieval core includes two Romanesque twin windows and a chapel with Angevin-style rib vaults. The Chapelle Notre-Dame des Neiges was rebuilt between 1870 and 1875. It was intended as a place of prayer for field workers who could not attend Mass at the parish church at certain times of the year. Its history therefore connects a sacred place with the everyday work of the fields.

La Ballastière: pond and leisure activities

The La Ballastière pond covers 8 hectares. In a wooded setting, a small path allows you to walk around the water. Leisure facilities include fishing, mini golf, tennis, a multi-sports pitch and pétanque; walking and cycling are also among the activities on offer. La Ballastière is a year-round leisure and recreation spot for anglers, tourists and families. Individual facilities may change over time, so check what is currently available before your visit.

Compare routes by distance and starting point

The Entre bois et hameaux route is 8 kilometres long, starts at the Pont de Taizon and has a section that is accessible to everyone. The Sentier du Belvédère is 8.5 kilometres long and starts at the La Ballastière pond. La boucle près-Thouet is 24 kilometres long, also starts at La Ballastière and connects two other signposted routes. The two shorter routes are almost the same length, at 8 and 8.5 kilometres; La boucle près-Thouet is considerably longer. Check the route signs and local conditions before setting off.

Another cycling option is the Ziclou route: it is 9 kilometres long and starts at the car park at the La Ballastière pond. Check whether the app is available before travelling.

Panoramic views and geology at the Belvédère

The Belvédère du Puy de Mont offers panoramic views over the surrounding villages. Visitors can also discover the distinctive geology of the Thouarsais and the great diversity of its soils. This viewpoint therefore combines views of the landscape with an explanation of its geological features. If you are interested in landscapes and the history of the Earth, this stop offers a separate focus alongside the historic buildings and routes.

Discover more destinations: Coulonges-Thouarsais, Augé, Fontenille-Saint-Martin-d'Entraigues, Saivres, Secondigny, Pioussay, Coulonges-Sur-L'autize, Scillé.

For the broader travel overview: Deux-Sèvres.