Discover Saint-Macaire-en-Mauges

Saint-Macaire-en-Mauges can be explored through a range of different themes: the shoe industry has left its mark on the town’s history, alongside religious buildings, a Neolithic menhir, and public green spaces and fishing areas. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay here, these themes can help with your planning: would you rather learn about the history of shoemaking, see historic buildings or spend time by the water? The named places and topics provide concrete points of reference.

Shoe history: businesses, production and railways

The history of shoe production encompasses several distinct developments. Auguste Repussard and Georges Chupin founded the SARL “Repussard-Chupin” in 1925. A second building for the Repussard-Chupin shoe factory was constructed between 1933 and 1934 and equipped with one of the region’s first assembly lines. Together, the founding year, the additional factory building and the assembly line illustrate different aspects of the company’s history and production.

The Pasquier factory on Rue Pasteur also represents changes in local shoemaking. From 1927, it had setting machines and focused on making leather shoes and sandals. The Pasquier shoe factory also evolved from making and selling wooden shoes and galoshes to producing slippers. These examples differ in their focus: one development centers on new product lines and machinery, while the other involves a change between types of footwear. This makes the history of the industry tangible not only through factory names, but also through changes in production.

The railway connection is also part of the economic context. The metre-gauge Beaupréau–Cholet line, “Le Petit-Anjou,” opened in 1889, contributed to the industrialization of Saint-Macaire-en-Mauges and was closed in 1948. This makes it possible to consider the history of shoemaking in the context of transport developments at the time, without confusing the railway line with a current connection.

A discovery trail and historic buildings

The interactive Baludik discovery trail “Sur les traces de la chaussure” presents the history of the shoe industry in Saint-Macaire-en-Mauges and Saint-André-de-la-Marche, as well as the memories of employees and factory owners. The Saint-Macaire section is 2.4 kilometres long and takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes. This approximate duration helps you factor the section into your day’s plans; it is a guide, not an exact time requirement. The trail connects industrial history with personal memories of the factories.

The buildings also reflect different periods. The Chapelle de la Bernardière has an oak structure that probably dates from the late 15th century. It was consecrated under the patronage of Saint John the Baptist in 1771. Saint-Macaire Church is designed in the Neo-Gothic style. It received a significant organ in 1925; the Gloton organ was restored in 2019. The “La Grande Pierre Levée” menhir, meanwhile, is a Neolithic menhir. The historical range thus extends from a prehistoric standing stone through a chapel with a probable date to the building and organ history of the church.

Green space and fishing spot

Parc Marie Claire Coiffard is a public green space in Saint-Macaire-en-Mauges. The fishing spot at Étang de la Croix Verte has several fishing piers and a picnic area with tables and benches, restrooms, children’s play equipment and a car park. This information provides practical guidance for different interests: the Parc is described as a public green space, while the Étang brings together fishing and the listed picnic and visitor facilities. When planning your stay, you can consider these topics alongside the historic sites as distinct points of interest.

When choosing a hotel in Saint-Macaire-en-Mauges, the differences between these themes can help you sort your interests. The Baludik trail and the factory history focus on the shoe industry; the chapel, church and menhir offer different historical perspectives. The Parc and Étang complement these themes with public green spaces and a fishing spot with specified facilities.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Chaudefonds-Sur-Layon, Thorigné-D'anjou, Montfaucon-Montigné, Champtoceaux, Le Longeron, Cizay-La-Madeleine, Combrée, La Fosse-De-Tigné

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