Attractions and Places To See around Saint-Mariens - Top 6

The Pair-non-Pair Cave is a decorated cave, discovered in 1881, containing artistic representations dating back more than 32,000 years before the present, attributed to the Aurignacian culture. Listed as a historical monument since 1900, the cave is the third decorated cave discovered, after Altamira and Chabot Cave. Its study established the antiquity of the parietal engravings and officially recognized the prehistoric art. The cave, located in the commune of Prignac-et-Marcamps, is open only for guided tours. Booking a tour time online is required. The reception area, museum space, and shop are open from June 1st to September 30th, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. From October 1st to May 31st, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays, January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. Individual admission: €13 Free: Under 18s and 18-25s (European Union nationals and non-European legal residents in France)

Very nice tour but currently very difficult to use due to water and fallen trees.

Moulin de Charlot on the Saye. Family brewery in the heart of the forest along the river. It is open from May to September but the site is accessible all year round, including picnic tables.

nice nature trail along the river

The town over the centuries has often changed its name and spelling. In the Middle Ages, from the 14th century, it was called Sanctus Géronclus de Aquis Vivus, then in a royal ordinance of November 7, 1487 Saint Girons d'Aiguevives. On the maps of the 18th and 19th centuries, the name was simply Saint Giron, without the S, then around 1900 Saint Girons. Finally it found on September 8, 1960, its current name Saint Girons d'Aiguevives. In 1156, a Calabrian crusader BERTHOLD, returning from the crusades, withdrew to Mount Carmel, in the perimeter of Virou, thus was born "The order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel", made official by the Pope. Dating from the 14th century, vaulted with warheads, this sanctuary is in the flamboyant Gothic style. The flat chevet of the church is lit by a window with two panels. The mitred and crossed character depicted in the stained glass window behind the high altar is undoubtedly Saint Girons. Apostle of Gascony and martyred in the 4th century, he evangelizes Chalosse. His tomb, desecrated by the Huguenots in 1569 during the Wars of Religion, is in the crypt of Hagetmau (Landes). On the left, St Blaise (Bishop of Sébasse, in Armenia, second patron of the parish, his cult was once celebrated with a certain solemnity.) This church was rebuilt between 1853 and 1860 by the architect Jean-Edouard BONNORE. Only the old sanctuary, vaulted with warheads, has been preserved. The glass painter Dagrand made part of the stained glass windows between 1860 and 1900. They represent (from left to right): St Jean Baptiste (baptismal font) - St Louis- Ste Jeanne de Valois- St Jean the Evangelist- Presentation of the Virgin Mary by Ste Anne- St Pierre- Ste Madeleine (one of the holy women) - St André- Sainte Françoise (known as the Roman) - St François de Sales, bishop of Geneva. The choir was decorated by the painter TERRAL (1899). This artist also signed two paintings representing: one the meeting of Saint Girons with Saint Clair, the other the martyrdom of Saint Girons. The unsigned copperplate Way of the Cross is probably also his. To be noted, a curious armchair in solid oak, covered with Cordoue leather, offered by a parish priest. The bell tower was decorated in 1899. This bell-tower houses two bells, one of which, listed, dates from 1608, donated by Marguerite BIGNON, and the new 1000 kg bell, donated by the DELBOS du Virou family. To the left of the bell tower, a cemetery cross is placed at the top of a hard stone shaft, placed on a massive plinth whose corners are decorated with foliage. To the right of the bell tower, a Virgin is placed at the top of a column (19th century)

Superb mill, good the access slope is a little steep (22%) but what a beauty this mill and the surrounding landscapes.

Magnificent mill in operation every Sunday 35 km from Bordeaux. Sale of flour (wheat, corn, buckwheat, lentil, etc.). Visit of the milling museum. Art exhibitions in the miller's house. Guided tour of the mill: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and public holidays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed every Monday. Group and school visits by appointment. Park open all year.