Saint-Genès-Du-Retz: Church, Castle and Menhir

Historic Sites and the La Pierre Sanglante Trail

Saint-Genès-Du-Retz can be explored through several specific themes: the Church of Saint-Bénilde and its architectural design, the feudal castle in the village center, and the Pierre Sanglante Menhir. These features raise different historical questions: the church invites a closer look at its architecture and details, the castle at its history of alterations, and the menhir at its archaeological classification. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can weigh up whether local history, architecture or the trail to the menhir will be the deciding factor in choosing your destination.

The Church of Saint-Bénilde: Layout and Details

The Church of Saint-Bénilde is first mentioned in a papal bull dating from 1115. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross with a projecting transept. A semicircular apse is flanked by two side apses. This makes it possible to consider the building’s design from its overall cross-shaped plan to its group of apses.

The round-arched portal features a sculpted tympanum; the two door leaves are decorated with medieval door fittings. The transept, apse and portal draw attention to different parts of the church, from its floor plan to the decorative details on the portal and doors. If you are interested in architecture, you can consider the overall form and individual features side by side here.

The Castle and Another Place of Interest

The feudal castle stands in the center of the village of Saint-Genès-Du-Retz and was altered in the 15th century. This offers a different historical perspective from the church: the castle focuses on a structural alteration, while the church can be explored through its first mention and its architecture. Pont-de-Retz is also one of the places of interest in Saint-Genès-Du-Retz.

The La Pierre Sanglante Trail

The La Pierre Sanglante trail starts in front of the school in Saint-Genès-Du-Retz. It passes a 15th-century castle and follows the Allée du Menhir to the megalith. The starting point, the passage by the castle, the named section of the route and the destination provide a clear sequence for planning. The trail offers a different focus from the church’s architectural design: here, the route and the megalith as its destination take center stage.

This gives you two different themes to weigh up for your stay. The church is about its floor plan and architectural details; the trail is about the route from the starting point along the Allée du Menhir to the destination. The La Pierre Sanglante site can be visited every day throughout the year.

The Pierre Sanglante Menhir

The Pierre Sanglante Menhir is also known as “Pierre Frite.” It is a Mesolithic menhir with cup marks, located near the railway line. It is also associated with the early settlement of this place. Its archaeological classification and this historical context offer different points of interest: the name and cup marks are among the monument’s features, while its association with early settlement offers a historical interpretation.

In Saint-Genès-Du-Retz, architectural history and the archaeological history of the area therefore stand side by side as distinct interests. The church leads from its mention in 1115 to its floor plan and portal; the feudal castle adds a view of a later structural alteration. The menhir and the trail focus on an archaeological monument and the route leading to it. Other local places of interest, such as Pont-de-Retz, add to the range of themes you can consider when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Corent, Le Mont-Dore, Charensat, Rochefort-Montagne, Saint-Rémy-Sur-Durolle, Saint-Germain-Lembron, Saint-Germain-l'Herm, Buxières-Sous-Montaigut.

Return to the regional travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.