Coësmes: Slate History, Architectural Heritage and Historic Routes

Coësmes brings together traces of its slate-mining history, buildings from different periods and the Chemin des Saulniers. When planning your stay, you can focus on its industrial past, architecture or a historic route. These themes span different periods, from traces of slate extraction to building phases dating back several centuries.

Slate History and Architectural Heritage

The Plessix slate quarries were established in 1840; a workers’ settlement with twenty homes was built there in 1892. The site covers 10 hectares. Features still preserved include slate spoil heaps, a hoisting shaft, a water basin and the forge building. This combination of traces of quarrying and housing broadens the perspective beyond the material extracted to include the working and living conditions associated with slate.

The Manoir, le Plessis dates from the 17th century; its right-hand section was remodeled in the 18th century. The history of the Manoir du Plessix dates back to around 1186. It had a chapel and a fuie, a small dovecote.

The Notre-Dame Church in Coësmes also brings together several building phases. Its Neo-Gothic entrance tower dates from 1859. A surviving part of the church building, built in the Neo-Renaissance style by Arthur Regnault in 1905, is also preserved. The floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross; the church also has rib vaults and older altarpieces. Different architectural forms and historic furnishings thus stand side by side.

Along the Chemin des Saulniers

The Chemin des Saulniers starts at the car park by the Étang in Coësmes. The route passes former slate quarries dating from the 19th century and the Chemin des Saulniers from the Ancien Régime. The Moulin de la Pile is along the way. Its surviving features include a ruin, a former granary and the dam’s retaining walls. The Plan d'eau is also along the route. It is considered a place to relax and is also associated with zander and pike.

Everyday Life and Activities

A Palis well on Rue du quartier la Costarderie is built from slate slabs. It recalls the former practice of drawing water from wells: until the water supply was connected in 1964, villagers obtained their water this way. This makes a change in everyday life tangible through a specific piece of infrastructure: the transition from wells to a connected water supply.

The Les Fées Grimpent club offers climbing, and welcomes children aged six and over. Climbing equipment can be borrowed there. As participation and rental arrangements may change, check the current terms before your visit. The Association Gymnastique de Coësmes offers gymnastics for adults and multisport sessions for children. Two free trial sessions are available before signing up. As schedules may change seasonally, ask in advance about dates and the current arrangements.

Discover more destinations: Roz-Sur-Couesnon, Louvigné-De-Bais, Pléchâtel, Saint-Pern, Combourg, La Chapelle-Chaussée, Betton, Laillé

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