Discover Senillé

Senillé offers several themes to consider when planning a trip: the history of the former quarries of Les Pieds Grimaud, the Église Saint-André, community facilities at Place Vaudreching and an annual mountain biking event. There is also the Circuit des Forts, where visits to local producers are possible. If you are looking for a hotel in Senillé, consider which of these themes will shape your trip: cultural history, a connection with nature or a specific event date.

Quarry history and bats

The Carrières des Pieds Grimaud, also known as the caves de la Feue, are former underground quarries. They were excavated in tuffeau, a type of limestone, in the 19th century. The tunnels were used as mushroom farms until the 1950s, after which they were abandoned. The tunnel network extends for about 1,800 metres over approximately four hectares. The sequence of extraction, reuse and abandonment gives the site a distinct industrial-history dimension.

At the same time, the site is an important regional winter roost for bats. Almost 800 animals take refuge there each winter. In terms of the number of individuals, the site ranks fourth in the region; eleven of the 22 species found in Poitou-Charentes have been observed there. The ZNIEFF “Carrière des pieds Grimaud” is located within the municipality, near the town centre. Access to the cave and the nearby hunting grounds are to be preserved. The tunnels’ historical use and their present-day significance for nature are therefore distinct but closely connected aspects of the site.

The Église Saint-André

The Église Saint-André de Senillé is first mentioned in an 11th-century cartulary, under the dedication to Saint Aubin. The original 12th-century building included a Romanesque nave and a flat-ended choir. Such a choir ends squarely in plan rather than in a curve; the term therefore describes its shape.

The furnishings can also be dated: the retable altar in the third arcade dates from 1767 and is made of painted and gilded wood. The building and the altar thus represent different periods. Visitors interested in architecture and religious history will find concrete details at the church that help distinguish its design, dedication and furnishings.

Facilities at Place Vaudreching

Place Vaudreching has play equipment for children aged three to six and three outdoor fitness machines for adults. Two boules courts and benches complete the facilities. An accessible path connects Rue de Vaudreching, on the cemetery side, with the church square on Rue du Berry. The path provides a safe crossing through the town centre for pedestrians and people with reduced mobility. If the facilities are important to your plans, it is worth briefly checking their current condition before your visit.

Events and route planning

The Sport Détente association organises the Rando VTT des 7 Bosses every year on the last weekend of August. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the specific date for the year in question. This will help you plan your travel dates around it without mistaking the event for a permanent offering.

The Circuit des Forts starts on Rue du Berry, at the car park on Place Palousier, not far from the church. Check local parking and access conditions before setting off. Along the way, there is the opportunity to visit some local producers; individual visits may depend on availability. If you plan to make a stop, check in advance whether the visit you want is possible.

Discover more destinations: Lavausseau, Saint-Germain, Liglet, Civray, Magné, Saint-Pierre-De-Maillé, Pindray, Vouillé.

For the broader travel overview: Vienne.