Saint-Gilles is a town in Ille-et-Vilaine, in the Brittany region, 15 km north-west of Rennes.
It is now a real small town in the countryside, its demography having been boosted by the proximity and the growth of the Breton capital, but its environment and the living environment have been preserved. On the 20 km ² of its territory, we still count 70% of agricultural land and 15% of meadows.
The village developed from the Middle Ages around a priory then dependent on the Abbey of Saint-Melaine in Rennes. The activity long dedicated to agriculture and crafts was somewhat diversified when at the beginning of the 18th century, the royal road leading from Paris to Brest was built, which two centuries later became the current "four lanes" which brought the town of Rennes closer together.
With around 4,500 inhabitants, Saint-Gilles has a wide range of cultural, sporting and "nature" leisure activities, not to be overlooked during a stopover in the metropolis of Rennes.
In terms of heritage, the locality has only one building protected as historical monuments: it is a granite cemetery cross dating from the 13th century, now installed on the south facade of the church. This cross has the singularity of being signed by its sculptor (Alain Pitaut). We can distinguish fifteen characters in different scenes: Christ on the cross with the Virgin and Saint John, soldiers (on the sides of the cross) and a Virgin and Child, accompanied by Saint James as a pilgrim and Saint Gilles as an abbot..
The remains of the first stately mound are still visible at the farm gate of Saint-Gilles, 800 meters southwest of the church. As for the stone castle which succeeded it until the 17th century, some wall elements remain, still at the same farm level.
As regards the parish church, its Romanesque foundations date back to the 12th century. The nave was lengthened in the 16th century, and a porch tower was erected in 1804 after the original bell tower was struck by lightning in 1787. In 1834, a new campaign of work provided the building with a transept and a choir. at right bedside. Neoclassical in style inside, the church has colorful stained glass windows produced by the Rennes workshops Lecomte and Colin de Rennes.
Finally, regarding the "civil" heritage, we must mention the site of the "Grand Domaine", a neoclassical-style castle which replaced the former seat of the lords of Saint-Gilles in the 19th century. The two facades are identical. But on the "west" side a tombstone of a knights of Saint-Gilles is visible. A park with secular trees surrounds the property.
We must also mention the manor of Cacé whose origin dates back to the 15th century and which was then reworked: U-shaped plan, including a house, a chapel, outbuildings, it was affected by a fire in 1962 but rebuilt and then equipped with a square tower with crenellated terraces. Finally, the old manor of La Fresnaye Bossard dates from the beginning of the 17th century. Also U-shaped, its home opens to the north onto a garden surrounded by an earthen wall topped with slate. An arched porch gives access to the courtyard.
On the cultural side, the Sabot d'Or space equipped with removable bleachers hosts quality shows (concerts, theater) throughout the year: information on +33 2 99 64 63 27. As for the media library, including Regular events are offered (exhibitions, readings, meetings, etc.): information on +33 2 99 64 86 12.
For athletes, a number of facilities are accessible. The Sabot d'Or complex (near the performance hall) thus includes a synthetic football field and indoor or outdoor pétanque grounds. The Triskel complex in the Gripail area has indoor rooms and a skate park. In addition, tennis courts are located between the Allée du Manoir and the Rue de l'Orgerie. Get information at the town hall on +33 2 99 64 63 27.
For the youngest, play areas dot the town and the neighborhoods: this is the case of the Carré des Moussaillons (near the pond), the he Saudrais area (avenue Yves Montand), the Île des Bois area adjacent to a city-stadium.
In the south-east of the village, an ideal destination for a walk in a bucolic environment but also a site very popular with fishermen, the Guichalet pond is vast 7 hectares. To find out the regulations before installing your rods, contact the local association on +33 6 79 73 78 98.
In addition to the surroundings of the pond, several marked hiking trails have been designed and developed in the same town. They are connected to a larger network which makes it possible to understand the heritage and the environment of the countryside surrounding Rennes: whether they are walking routes or secure lanes for two-wheelers. Maps and information on +33 2 99 64 63 27 or 0 891 67 35 35.
