Saint-Bonnet-De-Bellac between the church and the Gartempe

Local landmarks offer different ways to get your bearings in the area—from the Romanesque church and the course of the river to scheduled event dates.

Church, art and procession route

The Église Saint-Bonnet is a Romanesque church dating from the 12th century. Inside are a carved wooden altar from the 18th century, decorated with statuettes, and a painted wooden statue of Sainte Radegonde from the 16th century. The building and its furnishings therefore belong to different centuries: the church itself is Romanesque, while each of the two artworks dates to a later period. For travellers interested in cultural history, this difference offers a specific insight into architectural history and sacred art, without reducing the objects to the same period.

The Chemin de la procession is also still marked by crosses. The procession route adds a connection to the path and its markers to the religious history of the area. If you are interested in religious heritage, the crosses along this named route are another distinct feature to consider alongside the church building.

The Gartempe and Pont Saint-Martin

The Gartempe borders Saint-Bonnet-De-Bellac for about 3.5 kilometres along its left bank. At Pont Saint-Martin, the river scenery changes in a sequence: the water flows calmly at first, cascades form at the Moulin de Gringalet, and then the river widens around several islands. These are two distinct points of reference for finding your way: the approximate length of the riverbank section and the sequence of landscape features at Pont Saint-Martin.

The Chapelle du Pont Saint-Martin, a rustic chapel dating from the 11th to 12th century, also stands on the Gartempe’s left bank. Its early date and its location by the left bank bring architectural history and landscape together here. This makes it possible to understand the area not only through the course of the river but also through a historic building.

Two recurring summer dates

The Fraternelle fishing competition takes place every year at Pont Saint-Martin on the last Saturday in July and is accompanied by a country-style meal. Another regular date in the events calendar is the Fête de la Batteuse, held annually by the local festival committee on the third Sunday in August. The events therefore fall on different weekends: the July competition is accompanied by a meal, while the August event takes place under its own festival name.

If you would like to plan your stay around one of these events, check the specific date and schedule in advance. Details may vary from year to year. This will help you distinguish between the two summer dates and plan your trip accordingly, without assuming that the schedule is repeated in full every year.

Road connection and cycling tour

The RN147 passes through Saint-Bonnet-De-Bellac and connects Poitiers with Limoges. The C10 loop offers a different way to explore the area: it starts in Bellac, passes through Saint-Bonnet-De-Bellac and is 72 kilometres long. The route is classified as difficult. The road connection and the cycling loop therefore serve different planning purposes: the RN147 places the area between Poitiers and Limoges, while the C10 describes a specific, longer cycling tour.

If you are considering the C10 when planning your trip, check the latest route details in advance, as route specifications can change. Its classification as difficult and its length of 72 kilometres help you consider the loop as a distinct part of your travel plans, separate from the road that passes through the area.

Discover more destinations: Thiat, Sauviat-sur-Vige, Nedde, Bujaleuf, Bellac, La Roche-L'abeille, Ambazac, Saint-Genest-sur-Roselle

For the wider travel overview: Haute-Vienne.