Bécon-les-Granits is a community of Maine-et-Loire, in the Pays de la Loire region, 20 km north-west of Angers.
Fief belonging to powerful lords, the largely wooded territory is over the centuries cleared to become a land specialized in breeding, and the town is renowned as an active trading place.
Fief of the Chouannerie under the Revolution, the history of the locality rocked during the nineteenth century when is discovered a blue granite bench. This subterranean wealth is exploited under the Second Empire and Bécon, which becomes Bécon-les-Granits, grows in population to exceed 2200 inhabitants in the late nineteenth century. The reputation and the quality of the rock extracted in the commune are such that they are stone pavers of Bécon which are chosen to "dress" the roadway of the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Operations ceased in the 1970s but Bécon-les-Granits, which now has about 2,800 inhabitants, maintains the memory of the industry that made it famous. A museum is dedicated to him. With its built heritage and its environment, the town that benefits from the proximity of the Angevin agglomeration is a stage of interest.
The municipality has on its territory several listed buildings that can mark a pleasant walk outside the village in the form of discovery of its architectural heritage.
This is the case of the Château du Bois-Guignot, former lordly residence built in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, which then had defensive elements (moat). The exteriors were refurbished and embellished in the eighteenth (main courtyard, park) and the dwelling enlarged in the nineteenth (wings, pavilions and neo-Gothic chapel).
See next, the castle Landeronde, built in the fifteenth century and remodeled in the sixteenth and seventeenth. With a park in English, the set has retained its original character. The L-shaped facades are connected by a Renaissance style tower. The castle served as a model for the designer Jean Graton in an album of the Vaillant series. Visit possible during the Heritage Days.
Away from the village too, the farmhouse of the Grand-Maison dates from the sixteenth century and has granite called surface among its materials. The building had in turn different vocations: house, farm, inn... The site is currently the subject of a restoration campaign.
In a different genre, the mill of La Landronnière was completed in 1872. Consisting of a tower and three stories high, it reflects the agricultural wealth of the region.
Back in the center of the village, we can linger at the Saint-Pierre church, a building dating from 1886 built on the basis of a previous place of worship. Note as if to symbolize the wealth of the city at the time, the nave is supported by granite columns from local quarries and the font of large size was made by stonecutters of Bécon.
On the same theme, the museum of granite offers 500 m² of exhibits evoking the history of this exploitation of the wealth of the local subsoil, mining techniques and size, the daily workmen and the city during these decades of industry. Film screenings and an outdoor area complete the free or guided tour of the establishment. Open all year for groups by reservation, in July and August for all ages. Entry: 2 to 5 euros. Information on +33 2 41 77 90 08.
A circuit called the Granite Trail, whose starting point adjoins the museum, allows you to discover the old sites of exploitation as the main heritage elements of the town. Other hiking and biking routes include Bécon-les-Granits and surrounding areas. Some may include a stage in the menhir of Ruisseau-de-la-Planche, a megalith on a small stream, southwest of the village. Documentation and information at +33 2 41 23 51 51. It is also possible to join the outings organized by the local club by contacting +33 2 41 77 06 99.
Finally, note that some of the old quarries has been flooded and now allows beginner or experienced divers to discover the places in a very original way... The cavities have depths of 5 to 50 m. For any information, join the club Maïtaï at +33 6 04 41 24 15.
The paths and sites of Bécon and its surroundings are also pleasant to browse during a horse ride. Contact the equestrian center at +33 6 84 48 31 06.
In another genre, tennis fans can book a court at +33 6 73 37 56 98.
Lastly, on the cultural level, the Chopin hall regularly programs quality shows (concerts, plays). Information on +33 2 41 77 90 08.
During school holidays in March or April, the festival Voix-Si-L'Printemps makes a stop in Bécon and offers concerts (choirs, orchestras).
In June, the festival Rendez-vous Conte offers for all audiences shows based on the story.
On the last Saturday of August, the Career Day offers afternoon musical and fun events and evening fireworks and a sound and light show.
Finally, every Thursday morning, the market on the parking Tonnelles is a good opportunity to taste the riches of the terroir of Anjou.
