Saint-Benoît-Sur-Loire: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire developed around the Abbaye de Fleury. It was founded in the 7th century by monks from Saint-Aignan d’Orléans. After monks brought the relics of Saint Benedict of Nursia from Monte Cassino in Italy, the abbey became an important pilgrimage site.

When planning a trip, you may wish to rent a holiday apartment in Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire.

Culture

The abbey church of the Abbaye de Fleury is the only surviving part of the medieval abbey and has been a listed historic monument since 1840. The Abbaye de Fleury is a Romanesque basilica dating from the 11th to the 13th century; its porch is decorated with twelve figurative capitals. In the crypt, a reliquary holds the relics of Saint Benedict.

The Abbaye de Fleury can be visited independently at any time without a guide; individual guided tours are available on request. Le Belvédère is an interactive cultural and tourist centre dedicated to the history of the Abbaye de Fleury and the architecture of its abbey church. The third floor offers a panoramic view of the abbey church and the surrounding area.

Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire was Max Jacob’s home and workplace from 1921 to 1928. During this period, he completed several novels, painted gouaches and worked as a guide for pilgrims at the basilica. Contour et Transparence offers four-hour and one-day introductory stained-glass courses in Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire, teaching traditional leaded-glass and Tiffany techniques.

Karting 45 operates the only outdoor karting track in the Loiret. The 1,200-metre track features fast sections, long bends and technically demanding chicanes.

History

The Maison gothique is a house built in the 13th century; its façade has been a listed historic monument since 1906. The historic port, the only port in Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire, is located in the hamlet of Le Hameau du Port. It was used for loading and unloading goods and was the landing place for the ferry to Guilly.

Getting there

Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire can be reached by bus with Cars Rémi from Orléans and Les Bordes.

More local pages: Villemandeur, Augerville-La-Rivière, Saint-Jean-De-Braye, Ousson-Sur-Loire, Châtillon-sur-Loire, Meung-Sur-Loire, Cravant, La Cour-Marigny

For the higher-level travel overview: Loiret.