Coutures: Discover Culture, Art and Wine

When looking for hotels in Coutures, you can start by deciding which themes you want to focus on during your trip. Architecture and monuments, a guided tour with an art gallery, or a wine activity each offer a different experience. The local sights and activities give you concrete ideas to help plan your stay.

Château, Church and Heritage Protection

The Château de Montsabert overlooks the plain. It consists of three building wings and two towers; one of the towers dates back to the 14th century. Since 7 August 1986, the façades and roofs of the château and its orangery, as well as the entire chapel, have been protected as historic monuments. The château hosts an exhibition from June to September. Check the exhibition schedule before your trip. The present-day church in Coutures adds to the picture of the area's architectural history: the neo-Gothic building was constructed between 1859 and 1862.

Prehistoric Monuments

The Dolmen de l’Etiau is a prehistoric dolmen in the hamlet of Etiau near Coutures. The Dolmen de la Caillère is a Neolithic monument in Coutures. Its history also includes a structural change: roadworks around 1840 destroyed the southern entrance portico, leaving only one chamber intact. The two monuments therefore offer different historical points of reference: the Dolmen de l’Etiau is notable for its prehistoric classification and its location in Etiau, while the surviving part of the monument is also significant at the Dolmen de la Caillère.

Art Gallery and Tours at the Manoir

The contemporary art gallery of Richard Rak is housed in an underground complex at the Manoir de la Caillère. The gallery is a 400 m² labyrinth carved into the rock. The manor offers guided tours for adults, children, connoisseurs and beginners. This makes it possible to combine an interest in contemporary art with a guided tour format; the visitor groups mentioned include both children and adults, as well as connoisseurs and beginners. The underground gallery offers a different focus from the architectural history of the château or the dolmens.

Wine Activities and Events

The Domaine de Bois Mozé in Coutures offers the escape game “Les Seigneurs de Bois Mozé” in the estate’s tower. A wine tasting follows. Dates and booking conditions may change; check the latest information about the offer before planning your trip. Another possible reason to visit is the Foire aux Artichauts, an event held in Coutures in September. Check the specific event dates before your trip.

The “Vignes et troglos” walking trail is also connected to two of the cultural sites mentioned: it passes the Château de Montsabert and the Manoir de la Caillère. This means architectural history and the underground gallery come together along the same named route. Your travel plans can therefore include both buildings and monuments, as well as activities tied to specific dates. If the exhibition, event or escape game is to be a highlight of your stay, take into account its opening period or current dates, as applicable.

Discover more destinations: Ingrandes, Beaulieu-Sur-Layon, La Romagne, La Chapelle-Sur-Oudon, La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Courléon, La Boissière-Sur-Èvre, Montrevault.

For the broader travel guide: Maine-Et-Loire.