Montours – Pilgrimage Routes and Heritage

Montours is best explored for travel planning through its pilgrimage routes, hikes, and religious heritage. The Voie des Plantagenêt, one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, passes through the town. It forms part of the second stage from Saint-James to Fougères, which covers 32.1 kilometres. There are also local trails, churches and chapels, as well as historical traces in Valaine. If you are looking for a hotel in Montours, you could first consider whether a pilgrimage route, a hike, or architectural history will be the main focus of your stay.

Hiking Trails with Their Own Character

The Voie des Plantagenêt places Montours on a longer pilgrimage route: the second stage runs between Saint-James and Fougères and covers 32.1 kilometres. The Terre Rouge circular trail offers a different focus, lined with notable calvaries and granite crosses. These religious markers are among the route’s distinctive features.

The Du haut des Echelles de Montours hiking trail passes the Chapelle Saint-Gorgon de Monthoux. The chapel is dedicated to Saint Gorgon. According to local tradition, it is associated with the healing of eye ailments. This trail thus brings together a named chapel and a local tradition. Check the current route before setting out; route details may change.

Churches, Chapels, and Historical Traces

The Église Saint-Martin dates from the 19th century and preserves older remains. The former presbytery also has a layered history: the 18th-century building now serves as the town hall and contains notable elements of religious art. The church and town hall therefore represent different aspects of Montours’ religious and architectural heritage.

In Valaine, the Chapelle Sainte-Anne has a notable Romanesque portal. The grounds of the former castle also preserve a medieval motte; the castle was destroyed between 1600 and 1630. Another chapel, the Chapelle Saint-Gorgon de Monthoux, dates from 1876. These dates mark different historical connections, from medieval traces to 19th-century buildings.

The history of the priory is also part of the town’s past. The donation of estates by Raoul II de Fougères in 1151 contributed to its foundation. The area around Montours had been linked to Rillé Abbey in Fougères since the 12th century. These connections give the religious heritage a broader historical context without dating the individual buildings to the same period.

Landscape and Orientation

The Ruisseau des Échelles, a tributary of the Loisance, flows through Montours and forms a valley connecting different natural areas of the region. At the Belvédère du Tertre, there is a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding landscapes of Coglais, as well as an orientation panel. Landscape and orientation, along with buildings and pilgrimage routes, are therefore among the features that shape Montours as a destination for trip planning.

Montours also has overnight accommodation for pilgrims on the Way of St James. Check its availability before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Louvigné-Du-Désert, Monthault, Sixt, Saint-Père, Vieux-Viel, Chantepie, Longaulnay, La Boussac.

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