Champeaux: Collegiate Church, Menhir and Château d’Epinay

In Champeaux, different travel interests come together around specific themes: historic buildings, ecclesiastical heritage and named walking routes. The architectural history spans from the 13th-century ruined keep to the 16th-century residential building; the menhir reaches even further back, to the Neolithic period. Champeaux is also set in the Bocage of Haute-Bretagne. If you are considering the town as a destination for a hotel stay, these cultural and landscape highlights can guide your choice of location.

History and architecture

Sainte-Marie-Madeleine was elevated to collegiate church status in 1432. It is open for free visits every day outside service times: from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and until 6 p.m. in winter. As services and ceremonies may affect access, check the current visiting hours before your visit.

The Château d’Epinay combines a 16th-century residential building with a 13th-century ruined keep. The keep is therefore the older of the two mentioned structures, while the residential building marks a later phase of construction. Those interested in architectural history can thus place the château in the context of two clearly distinct periods.

The Menhir de la Haute Pierre dates from the Neolithic period. As the menhir known as « la haute pierre », it has been listed as a historic monument since May 1980. The canon’s house at 3, place du Cloître also provides a specific historical reference: it dates from the second half of the 16th century and is part of a protected site designated as such on 20 January 1964. The fountain on Place du Cloître is located 10 metres northwest of the collegiate church and has been classified as a protected site since 20 January 1964.

Ecclesiastical heritage and events

The Cloître Saint Martin serves the collegiate church as an annex venue for certain concerts and exhibitions. Courses and sessions related to sacred art are also held there. If these events are important to your stay, check the current dates, as the programme may change.

The Fête de la Musique is an annual event: each year, the collegiate church offers a candlelit visit accompanied by singing. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the dates and programme for that year’s edition; both may change.

Walking routes and other experiences

There are several walking routes to choose from, with different descriptions. The Circuit de la vallée du Palet is an easy walk with a walking time of 1 hour and 45 minutes. The Circuit de la passerelle des tourbières is 9 kilometres long. The first route therefore specifies a walking time, while the second gives a distance. Duration and distance answer different planning questions and can be considered separately when planning your day.

Le Manuscrit d’Espinay is an immersive virtual reality escape game dedicated to the cultural heritage of Champeaux. The game is designed for two to four players and lasts about an hour. It offers a different way to engage with the heritage than viewing historic buildings: you explore the subject through play in a small group. If you plan to take part, confirm the booking details before your trip; participation conditions and duration may change.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Pierre-De-Plesguen, Saint-Aubin-D'aubigné, Saint-Georges-De-Gréhaigne, Redon, Tressé, Lillemer, La Mézière, La Bouëxière.

For the wider travel overview: Ille-Et-Vilaine.