Discover Dancé: Nobles Logis and heritage

The Nobles Logis circular trail and the historic buildings give a stay in Dancé two distinct focal points. Nobles Logis starts and ends in Dancé, making the hike a well-defined reason for a trip. Other highlights include the Église de Dancé, the Manoir du Plessis and the Église Saint-Jouin in the former commune of Dancé. You can therefore choose between an active day on the trail and cultural and historical attractions.

Hiking and cycling on Nobles Logis

Nobles Logis is rated as an easy hike. The loop is 16 kilometres long, with a stated duration of four hours. This gives you a clear timeframe for planning the route as a several-hour part of your stay. The trail can also be ridden on a mountain bike or a touring bike. The hike and the two cycling options offer different ways to experience the same circular route.

Place de l'église is the recommended car park for the circular trail. The route follows the wall of the Château de la Beuvrière and leads to the picturesque lime-tree avenue of La Mancellière; it also heads towards Biaville, whose buildings are described as traditionally Percheron. The trail therefore combines a specific route with several named landscape and cultural highlights. A 1.5 km out-and-back route leads from Nobles Logis to the grounds of the Manoir de la Revaudière, where discreet visits are permitted.

Historic buildings and their history

The Église de Dancé was listed as a historic monument by decree on 29 November 1948. The Manoir du Plessis received this status by decree on 12 November 1990. It was built at the centre of a fortified fief covering 900 hectares, documented in 1250. These historical references should be distinguished: 1250 is the date when the fief is first documented, while 1990 is the date the manor was listed as a historic monument.

Fragments of a 17th-century seigneurial wall painting are located on the north wall of the nave of the Église Saint-Jouin in the former commune of Dancé. They were protected as an object on 28 January 1986. In this case, the protected status applies to the wall painting as a work of art.

Together, these details reveal several historical layers: the fief documented in 1250, the 17th-century wall painting, and the 20th-century listings of the Église de Dancé and Manoir du Plessis. Each date refers to a different fact, so they should not be read as the buildings’ construction dates.

Plan your visits

The grounds of the Manoir du Plessis are open to visitors free of charge; a written request is required to visit the interiors. Access arrangements may vary by season. Check the arrangements in place for your visit in advance, especially if you would like to see the interiors.

Discover more destinations: Belfonds, Neuvy-Au-Houlme, La Ferté-Frênel, Valframbert, La Chapelle-D'andaine, Malétable, Canapville, Saint-Aubin-De-Bonneval

For the regional travel overview: Orne.