Faveraye-Mâchelles: Hiking and Heritage

Faveraye-Mâchelles can be discovered through its landscape and heritage. The Circuit de Faveraye is designated for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding; churches, a cemetery and historic estates offer further insights into the place’s history and architecture.

Hiking and scenery on the Circuit de Faveraye

The circuit starts and ends in Faveraye-Mâchelles and is 7.1 kilometres long. It is designated for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding. The estimated durations are two hours on foot, 30 minutes by mountain bike and one hour on horseback. The route remains 7.1 kilometres long; the estimated times vary depending on the mode of travel. The difference between the shortest, mountain-bike time and the longest, walking time is 90 minutes; the horse-riding time falls between them. These times are estimates. The route has been modified, so check the individual route information before setting out and do not rely on the total distance alone.

The route combines views of the hillside with vineyards, woods and a rich, varied and well-preserved architectural heritage. Walks through the streets and countryside also reveal old stone walls and traces of the past.

Church, cemetery and historic traces

The Église Saint-Pierre-Aux-Liens reveals different phases of construction: its oldest parts date from the 12th century, while the choir dates from the 15th century. Another turning point came in 1851, when the church became a simple chapel after services were moved to a new church in Mâchelles. This makes it possible to distinguish the age of individual parts of the building from the later change in the church’s status.

The medieval cemetery of Faveraye dates from the 14th century; in 1975, it was added to the supplementary list of historic monuments. This makes it possible to distinguish its period of origin from its much later listing as a monument. A Vierge de pitié, a Pietà statue dating from the 15th or 16th century, is also part of the local heritage and is included in the heritage restoration programme.

The timeline thus extends from the church’s oldest parts, dating from the 12th century, to the Pietà from the 15th or 16th century; 1975, by contrast, marks the cemetery’s later addition to the monuments list.

Historic estates and their dates

The two châteaux also add to the picture of historic architecture. Château de l'Assay is privately owned; its origins date back to the 12th century, while the present building dates from 1856. The present building at Château de Chandoiseau is dated to 1872; this estate is also privately owned. The Château de Chandoiseau estate includes an English-style landscaped park and an octagonal kitchen garden. The dates serve different purposes: for l'Assay, both its early origins and the construction of the present building are given, whereas for Chandoiseau, the date refers to the present building.

Discover more destinations: La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Chemellier, Thorigné-D'anjou, Louresse-Rochemenier, Chaintré, Distré, Chemiré-sur-Sarthe, La Breille-Les-Pins.

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