Discover Mouliherne

Mouliherne offers several points of interest for a stay: the long architectural history of the Église Saint-Germain, a memorial lantern with a distinctive architectural base, trails through woodland and orchards, and opportunities for nature watching and fishing. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between permanent cultural features, a route with a specific distance, and seasonal nature interests.

Église Saint-Germain: architectural history spanning several centuries

Construction campaigns for the Église Saint-Germain span from the second half of the 11th century to the first half of the 13th century. Its twisted, helical spire was built around 1690, making it part of a later phase than the medieval campaigns. Different periods thus meet at the church. Carolingian stone sarcophagi were discovered in old Mouliherne in 1975 and are displayed behind the altar of the Église Saint-Germain. The year refers to their discovery, not their creation. For those interested in history, medieval building phases and archaeological finds from an earlier period can therefore be seen side by side.

The Lanterne des Morts and its ossuary

The Lanterne des Morts stands on a 12th-century ossuary with a ribbed vault. It is considered the only known example of its kind in Anjou. The lantern was restored in 1978 and is one of the last 50 memorial lanterns in France. These classifications refer to different things: the statement about Anjou concerns the ossuary, while the French classification concerns memorial lanterns. Visitors interested in architectural forms can distinguish the lantern, its base and two different historical comparisons at this site.

Trails through woodland, ridges and apple orchards

The 10.8-kilometre Promenade des amoureux de l’histoire et de la nature passes through a well-preserved landscape of wooded ridges and apple orchards. Its cultural features include the twisted church spire and the cemetery’s memorial lantern. La Boucle des Ecureuils has a different focus: it runs mostly through the state forest and includes several picnic areas and small hamlets with distinctive houses. The two routes thus have different points of interest: the Promenade is described by its distance, landscape and cultural features; the Boucle by its woodland, picnic areas and hamlets.

Seasonal nature watching and fishing

The Circuit nature leads to the Étang et moulin de Charrenier. During the season, thousands of starlings roost there every evening for protection. This nature experience is tied to the season and evening, making it a different time to visit from that suggested by the buildings described above.

At the Étang de pêche de la Louisière, there is an easily accessible bank-fishing area and a family fishing area. Fish species found there include coarse fish such as roach and rudd, as well as tench, carp, pike and perch. Two aspects are specified here for choosing based on your interests: the designated fishing areas and the fish species mentioned. This sets the site apart from the seasonal star watching at Charrenier.

Foire aux Pommes in October

The traditional Foire aux Pommes takes place every year on the third weekend of October. If you would like to plan your stay around this festival, check the date in advance for your travel year. This recurring weekend date is a different planning consideration from the seasonal evening star watching.

Discover more destinations: Auverse, Antoigné, Neuillé, Chemiré-sur-Sarthe, Le Louroux-Béconnais, Cantenay-Épinard, Beaucouzé, Landemont.

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