Boucé – Heritage and Nature Trail

There are several ways to shape a trip to Boucé: explore fortified architecture at the motte féodale, learn about the area’s former metalworking at the Grosse Forge, or follow a nature trail that highlights the floodplain meadows. These themes can help you tailor your stay to your interests. If you’re looking for a hotel in Boucé, you can first decide whether you’d rather focus on the historic sites or the natural surroundings.

The Grosse Forge: evidence of metalworking

In 1641, Boucé’s Grosse Forge metalworks comprised a blast furnace, a finery forge and a rolling mill. The factory ceased operations in 1865. Two restored workers’ houses have been preserved on the site. The industrial facilities and the workers’ homes thus stand side by side as different aspects of industrial history.

The motte féodale in Cordey

The motte féodale in Cordey, Boucé, is a fortified structure. Its construction is dated to either the 10th or 12th century; it has been protected as a historic monument since 10 June 1975. The site measures 180 metres around its base. The dating places it in historical context, while the circumference gives a concrete measure of its extent. The motte thus complements the later evidence of metalworking with a distinct focus on architectural history.

The statue of Saint Peter

The statue of Saint Peter represents a different form of heritage. The carved wooden sculpture dates from the 19th century and is 200 centimetres tall. It was registered as protected movable cultural property on 17 June 1981. The registration date is not its year of creation: the sculpture dates from the 19th century, while it was protected later.

Unlike the motte and the Grosse Forge, which are classified as a fortified structure and metalworks respectively, the statue is movable cultural property. Boucé’s cultural history therefore encompasses not only larger sites but also a single carved wooden figure, with its material, dimensions and period of origin clearly specified.

Floodplain meadows and the Natura 2000 site

The landscape is another focus for a trip to Boucé. The Natura 2000 site FR2500099 includes the area. Its description, dated 16 January 2025, identifies 80 percent as wet semi-natural and mesophilous grassland. Inland waters account for 10 percent, while swamps, fens and peat bogs account for 4 percent. Meadows therefore make up the largest specified share, with water and wetland areas forming other designated components.

A marked nature trail around Boucé explains the importance of the floodplain meadows and shares information about dragonflies, European pond turtles and rare aquatic plants. The trail is 2.6 kilometres long. It connects the landscape with information about selected animal and plant species.

Nature trail: nature and the historic use of meadows

On a former festival ground, an information board explains the dynamics of the Orne River and how the meadows were used to produce fodder in the 18th century. Alongside the natural features, it offers a historical perspective on the meadows and their former use. The board links an explanation of the river with a specific aspect of local agricultural history.

If you plan to make the trail a set part of your itinerary, check the local signs before you leave. This will help you factor the natural features and the history of meadow use into your decision about staying in Boucé.

Discover more destinations: Fel, Rânes, Trun, Saint-Cornier-Des-Landes, Fontenai-Sur-Orne, Argentan, Champosoult, Saint-Michel-Des-Andaines

For the regional travel overview: Orne.