Vendel: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The Church of Saint-Martin stands in Vendel. It was founded in the 11th century by the Abbey of Saint-Florent d’Anjou. Its nave and choir preserve a roof structure resting on wooden posts, which can be traced back to the 14th century. Since 6 February 2013, the church has been protected as a historic monument.

Culture and History

In 2005, three sarcophagi made of shelly limestone were uncovered near the large mission cross at Vendel village church. They belong to an early medieval necropolis. The historical significance of the site extends further: Vendel was the centre of a territorial division of the city of the Rhedones, known as the Pagus Vendellensis.

The former presbytery of Vendel preserves a sundial dating from 1654. It is decorated with a sun, a crescent moon, crossed bones and a skull. At the Logis de Blot, the manor house is arranged around a rectangular courtyard. At the former residence of the lords of Moulin de Blot, traces of a defensive system consisting of a surrounding wall and ditches are still preserved; of the old Moulin de Blot, only the lintel of the main entrance remains.

In the hamlet of Bas Chemin, several relatively authentic houses preserve architectural features from the 17th or even the late 16th century. Two window lintels in Bas Chemin bear the dates 1618 and 1663.

Water and Townscape

The Moulin de Vendel is located on the Couesnon north of the village of Vendel. The southern building once had two water wheels, supplied by a single millrace. The Moulin de Vendel probably dates from the late 16th or early 17th century; this dating is based on the construction of its foundations.

The Croix de l’Union, dating from 1699, stands on the Couesnon bridge at the exit from Vendel.

Events and Trails

The Association Saint-Martin regularly organises cultural events in Vendel, such as concerts and exhibitions, to promote the Church of Saint-Martin. Vendel is also included in the official hiking maps for the four historic municipalities of Rives-du-Couesnon. The area of Rives-du-Couesnon and its surroundings offers numerous trails for walking and cycling.

Other destinations: Vern-Sur-Seiche, Saint-Thurial, Martigné-Ferchaud, Rennes, Guignen, Trans-La-Forêt, Le Rheu, Le Châtellier

To the higher-level travel overview: Ille-Et-Vilaine.