Bournand: Megalithic Heritage, Churches and Trails

Bournand brings together a megalithic monument, historic traces around Saint-Martin, trails with different points of interest, and a karting facility. When planning your trip, the specific visiting arrangements are just as helpful as distinguishing between historical heritage, routes and leisure activities.

The Pierre-Folle and Saint-Martin

The Pierre-Folle is near Les Ormeaux, north of the village, on private property. This megalithic monument made of red sandstone is shaped like a covered gallery. It is 18.47 metres long and about six metres wide on average; its weight is estimated at around 345 tonnes. The length and average width describe the size of the structure, while the weight is explicitly an estimate. The Pierre-Folle has been classified as a Monument historique since 1889. It can be visited during the Journées du Patrimoine on the third weekend in September. Check the specific event dates if you are planning your trip around the visit.

Saint-Martin Church dates from 1895 and was built over an older Romanesque church. The entrance portal of the earlier church has been preserved; it was listed as a Monument historique in 1938. The church also contains an altar from the former royal abbey of Notre-Dame de Fontevraud. Saint-Martin therefore has several distinct historical connections: the date the church was built, its older predecessor, the portal’s protected status and the altar’s provenance.

Château de Verrière and Celtica

Château de Verrière dates from the 16th century and has been listed as a Monument historique since 1931. The Anako Foundation opened an ethnographic museum there to the public in 2013. Its collections and films explored the last Indigenous peoples with oral traditions. If you would like to include the museum in your travel plans, check current visiting arrangements. Celtica is a garden dedicated to Celtic culture and protected trees, giving it a distinct theme of its own.

Trails and landscape in Bournand

The European Way of St Martin passes through Bournand and various places in the northern Loudunais. Marked waymarkers bearing the letters “DStM” stand at crossroads, with an arrow on each side. In Poitou, the route is called Le Chemin de Ligugé and can be followed using hiking maps. The Sentier du Basilic is a discovery trail; points of interest along it include a fountain and a washhouse. The wayfinding features therefore differ: the Way of St Martin has waymarkers and arrows, while the Sentier du Basilic has the aforementioned features along the trail. Bournand’s landscape also includes wooded massifs and limestone slopes.

Karting in Bournand

Karting de Loudun is located at Circuit de la Boule d’Or in Bournand. At Karting de la Boule d’Or, you can drive karts on a wooded track. The facilities include karting for children at least 1.40 metres tall, as well as two-seater karts for children aged four and up. These details specify different requirements: a height requirement for the children’s offering and a minimum age for two-seater karts. As operating conditions may vary, check current availability before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Andilly, Angles-Sur-L'anglin, Béruges, Coulonges, Chasseneuil-Du-Poitou, Latillé, Château-Garnier, La Roche-Posay

For the broader travel overview: Vienne.