Saint-Benoît-du-Sault is a French commune located in the
department of Indre, in the Center-Val de Loire region. The town is
located in the southwest of the department, in the natural region of
Boischaut Sud, above the valley of the Portfolio.
The
neighboring municipalities are: Roussines (3 km), Parnac (4 km) and
La Châtre-Langlin (4 km).
The chief towns and prefectures
are: Saint-Gaultier (22 km), Le Blanc (33 km), Châteauroux (47 km),
La Châtre (48 km) and Issoudun (72 km).
Ancient heritage
Three dolmens
were erected in the Neolithic period very close to the limits of the
town:
Passebonneau Dolmen classified as Historical Monuments
by the 1889 list, number in the Mérimée Base: PA00097317. It is
located in the neighboring town of La Châtre-Langlin at a place
called Champ du Dolmen.
Dolmen said of Gorces or Montgarneau,
classified as Historic Monuments by the 1889 list, number in the
Base Mérimée: PA00097424. It is located in the neighboring town of
Parnac, at a place called Les Gorces, north of the Le Portefeuille
stream.
Dolmen known as the Aire aux Martres Dolmen, classified
as an historic monument by the 1889 list, number in the Base
Mérimée: PA00097423. It is located in the neighboring town of
Parnac, south of the Boisrémont stream.
Fortified Romanesque
priory (14th century)
Saint-Benoît Church: the restored
Romanesque building houses a 13th century granite baptismal font
Memorial
Belfry
Medieval city
Portal (fourteenth century)
Maison de l'Argentier: it is listed as a historical monument.
Walkway
Originally, a few Benedictine monks detached from the
Abbey of Fleury founded a small colony at Caput Servium
(Sacierges-Saint-Martin), which due to the proximity of the Roman
road and the uncertainties of the time (incursions barbarians) was
transferred to Salis (Saint-Benoît-du-Sault), a natural rock which
allowed it to be better defended from the tenth century. Thus was
born the priory of Saint-Benoît.
The history of the village
is also linked to the Viscounts of Brosse, hence the still medieval
appearance, perched on a rocky hillock (registered site), with 15th
and 16th century houses and other picturesque streets and squares.
The current coat of arms of the village (three gold brushes linked
gules on an azure background) are those of the de Brosse family.
Concretely, the villagers were therefore dealing with the
provost of the priory, and the representative of the lord, Viscount
of Brosse.
The film La Vouivre was shot there in 1987.
Following the cantonal redistribution of 2014, the municipality
is no longer the capital of the canton.
The town is located in the south-west of the department, in the
natural region of Boischaut Sud, above the valley of the Portfolio.
The neighboring towns are: Roussines (3 km), Parnac (4 km) and La
Châtre-Langlin (4 km).
The main and prefectural municipalities
are: Saint-Gaultier (22 km), Le Blanc (33 km), Châteauroux (47 km), La
Châtre (48 km) and Issoudun (72 km).
The town is located in the employment area of Châteauroux and in the
living area of Argenton-sur-Creuse.
The town is classified among
the most beautiful villages in France.
The headquarters of
Tarabuste Editions, as well as that of the magazine Triages are located
in the town.
In July 2021, the University of Sur-Sault is
launched within the walls of the Priory of Saint-Benoît du Sault. It
welcomes university researchers for conferences on various subjects.