Discover Saint-Aubin-Des-Grois

Saint-Aubin-Des-Grois offers points of interest for a trip that appeals to visitors interested in both architectural history and local trails. Saint-Aubin Church brings together furnishings from different centuries, along with a Gothic window, features in the nave, and crosses commemorating the First World War. Two routes have different characteristics, and the Cœur du Perche Tourist Office includes the village in its self-guided tours of local history.

Saint-Aubin Church: Furnishings and Architecture

The church is dedicated to Saint Aubin, Bishop of Angers. The altar and altarpiece date from the 18th century, and the baptismal font from the 16th century. Their different dates make it easy to distinguish the furnishings by period. An altarpiece is the structure behind the altar. The altarpiece at Saint-Aubin has side wings, a curved pediment, and finials shaped like fire pots; the altar itself is also curved.

There is a Gothic window on the south side of the church; on the north side are four small windows, two of which resemble loopholes. The apse has a calotte, or dome-like vault. The nave has enclosed oak pews and a shingle-covered ceiling with tie beams and posts that have been preserved. Thus, the window styles, the apse, and the surviving interior furnishings are distinct architectural features.

The baptismal font is located in the southwest part of the nave. It is octagonal and made of dressed stone. Its shape and location set it apart from the altar and altarpiece; dating from the 16th century, it is also among the oldest of the furnishings mentioned here.

Local History and Memorials

Another period in the village’s history is associated with Abbé Frédéric Gobelet. He served Saint-Aubin-Des-Grois from 1898 to 1929. The Calvary in the village center, the church cross, and five crosses commemorating the First World War are attributed to him. The church’s dated furnishings thus stand alongside memorials associated with a specific period of parish service.

Two Routes with Different Characteristics

The Les Rotrières route is marked in yellow and has its own arrow signage. Follow the arrows bearing the name “Les Rotrières.” Its features include attractive sunken lanes and well-preserved traditional buildings. The markings and arrows help with navigation, while the sunken lanes and buildings define the route’s described characteristics.

The Saint-Aubin-Des-Grois–Saint-Cyr-la-Rosière connection starts on a small road in the direction of Préaux-du-Perche, then follows paths and crosses a small ford to reach Saint-Cyr-la-Rosière. The two routes differ in the specific features described: for Les Rotrières, these are the markings, sunken lanes, and traditional buildings; for the route to Saint-Cyr-la-Rosière, they are its direction and its course along paths and across the ford. This lets you compare the routes based on their stated features.

Self-Guided Tours of Local History

The Cœur du Perche Tourist Office includes Saint-Aubin-Des-Grois in its range of downloadable booklets for self-guided tours of local history. Check that the booklets are available before your trip. They offer another way to explore the village’s history independently.

Discover more destinations: Écouché, Dame-Marie, Le Renouard, Vieux-Pont, Ceaucé, La Ferrière-Bochard, Saint-Fraimbault, Malétable.

For the broader travel overview: Orne.