Saint-Michel-Des-Andaines: Forest and Heritage

Saint-Michel-Des-Andaines lies on the edge of the Forêt des Andaines. The area’s features range from old and striking trees to paths through the forest, traces of former crafts, and religious buildings. This offers several ways to shape your trip: a longer hike, individual natural landmarks, or history visible around ponds and chapels. When looking for a hotel, it helps to first consider which of these aspects you want to define your stay.

Forest and notable trees

The Chêne Hippolyte is over 300 years old; its circumference is 5.26 metres, measured at a height of 1.30 metres. The measurement height provides a fixed reference for the figure and helps you assess the tree by more than just its age. The Douglas des Pépinières consists of eleven trees standing at the corner of a former state-run tree nursery. The Chêne Hippolyte is distinguished by its age and circumference, while the Douglas is notable for the number of trees and their location at the former nursery. The Fontaine Minérale is also a remarkable natural feature: its water has a high iron content.

Walking routes and planning

The first 100 metres of La balade du roi Arthur are accessible to people with reduced mobility and to pushchairs, and lead to the oak tree Le roi Arthur. Another hiking option is La Ronde de l’Archange: this circular route is 20.2 kilometres long, rated difficult, and starts at the Champ aux Poiriers car park in Saint-Michel-Des-Andaines. The routes answer different questions for planning your trip: the first section offers limited accessibility to a specific destination, while the circular route is defined by its length, difficulty level, and starting point. This makes it easy to distinguish the short accessible section from the long circular hike rated difficult.

Chapels and architectural history

The Chapelle des Friches was built in 1866 and dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. It is built entirely of granite, and its bell turret is covered with slate. Circuit 41 passes near the chapel, and a detour from the route to visit it is possible. As access conditions may change, check the conditions before your visit. At the Prieuré Saint-Ortaire, you can visit two chapels. The two sites offer different perspectives on cultural history: for the Chapelle des Friches, the focus is on its construction date, dedication, and building materials; at the Prieuré, on the two chapels on its grounds.

Ponds and former uses

You can fish in the forest at the Étang des Brisettes. The Étang de la Brisette is located on the site of a former quarry. At the Étang du Manoir de la Forge, the pond that once supplied energy to the forge has been preserved, as has the master blacksmith’s house. The ponds therefore reflect different local histories: at the Brisette, the former quarry defines the site; at the Manoir de la Forge, it is the forge’s former energy supply.

Discover more destinations: Écouché, Torchamp, Saint-Hilaire-de-Briouze, Fel, Le Sap, Briouze, Le Château-D'almenêches, Fontenai-Sur-Orne

For the overview of the wider region: Orne.