Saint-Benoit-du-Sault

Visit Saint-Benoit-du-Sault, Loire Valley

Saint-Benoit du Sault is a picturesque village on a raised hill overlooking a broad lake created by a barrage on the river. It is in the Indre department 20 km south-west of Argenton-sur-Creuse and to the very south of the Centre region (near the borders with both Limousin and Poitou-Charentes).

The village owes its origins to the benedictine monks who established themselves in the area around the 10th century, having chosen the site on a raised rocky outcrop because of its defensive advantage. The village has been selected as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'.

Exploring Saint-Benoit-de-Sault

The village of Saint-Benoit du Sault that you visit today, with its pretty narrow streets of medieval houses, dates from the 15th-16th century, with the original village centre based around the church, the priory and fort, and some ramparts. Outside the fort area the historical village was surrounded by further ramparts, including the Grimard Tower.

The streets around the fort are the oldest part of the town - apart from the medieval houses, you can also see the fortified gate, part of the original defensive fortifications and the belfry (in a most unusual round tapered design).

The main pleasure is simply in strolling around the village admiring the many small highlights that remind us of the history of the village. Half-timbered buildings glimpsed through ancient stone archways, narrow cobbled streets hemmed in by ancient houses with doors made the old fashioned way - with large nails, ornate stone lintels and unusual roof designs all combine to make Saint-Benoit-sur-Sault an almost ideal medieval village.

One of the more important houses here was built for the governor in the 15th century and is called the Logis du Gouverneur.

The Church St Jean Baptiste is one of the earliest examples of roman style architecture to be found in France and dates from 1020. Inside the church you can see early examples of roman architecture in the capital stones and 10th century granite baptism font. The priory, at the end of the rock outcrop, dates from the 15th century.

Be sure to cross to the other side of the lake for the view back to the church and village.

If you tire of the medieval buildings visit the newer part of the town, where you can see the surprising successful modern architecture of the gendarmerie and the college.

Tourist classifications for Saint-Benoit-du-Sault: One of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages);

Suggested places to visit near Saint-Benoit-du-Sault, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Le-Dorat 34km; Bellac 44km; Angles-sur-l'Anglin 48km; George Sand House 49km; Chauvigny 59km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Saint-Benoit-du-Sault

Saint-Benoit-du-Sault tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Jardin-arboretum de La Sédelle - remarkable garden (19km) : Brenne - regional natural parc (29km) : Etangs de la Brenne - site of natural beauty (29km) : Eglise de Notre-Dame (Montmorillon) - religious monument (40km) : Montmorillon - town of art and history (40km) : Abbaye de Saint Savin sur Gartempe (Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe) - religious monument (43km) : Chateauroux - ville fleurie 4* (47km) : La Chatre - recommended detour (48km) :

French version: see Saint-Benoit-du-Sault (Francais)