Discover Saint-Michel-Et-Chanveaux

Saint-Michel-Et-Chanveaux offers several distinct points of interest for a stay: a church connected to the former castle wall, a menhir on the old road to La Prévière, the Sentier de la Minière walking trail and the Way of St James, which passes through the town. Other highlights include the former Marmiton slate mine and local craft and farming experiences. You can sort these themes before your trip and tailor your stay to your interests.

Church, castle wall and menhir

The 12th-century church adjoins the former castle wall. This direct connection gives the church a tangible link to the town’s history. The menhir also points to the history of the surrounding area: it stands on the old road from Saint-Michel-Et-Chanveaux to La Prévière, on the boundary with the commune of Armaillé. Its position on the road and at the boundary helps you place it in its geographical setting. The menhir is made of coarse reddish-purple slate and is 5.25 to 5.40 metres high. Saint-Michel-Et-Chanveaux thus has different stone monuments side by side: a church built against the former castle wall and a large menhir on an old road.

Slate mine and biodiversity

The former Marmiton slate mine is a notable site rich in biodiversity in Saint-Michel-Et-Chanveaux. Two different themes meet here: its former use as a slate mine and the site’s biodiversity. This adds a connection to nature to the architectural and local history. Together with the menhir’s slate, Marmiton also offers a second link in which the rock plays a role in local history.

Walking trail and pilgrimage route

The Sentier de la Minière is 12.5 kilometres long and takes about three hours. The route passes through agricultural and wooded landscapes and invites you to discover the rich, well-preserved heritage of Saint-Michel-Et-Chanveaux. Its stated length and approximate duration give you a concrete guide for planning your day, although the time is only an estimate. Landscape and heritage are equally important features of this walking trail.

The Way of St James from Mont Saint-Michel in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain passes through Saint-Michel-Et-Chanveaux along the Voie des Plantagenets. This is a different connection from the local Sentier de la Minière: the walking trail has a stated length and approximate duration, while the Way of St James places the town on a route between two destinations far apart. If you are interested in pilgrimage routes, this is another reason to include Saint-Michel-Et-Chanveaux in your travel plans.

Workshops and farm visit

In 2026, Atelier Yadi’s workshop programme includes modelling, pottery and sculpture. The workshops are suitable for beginners and advanced participants. So, alongside walking, local history and nature, creative activities are another option that may make a stay in Saint-Michel-Et-Chanveaux appealing.

In 2026, GAEC La Croix Brillet offers a farm visit and a tasting of milk from dairy cows. As visit arrangements may change, confirm the details in advance. This lets you include a visit to the farm as a separate activity without conflating it with the walking or cultural themes.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Corné, Segré, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Champtoceaux, Noyant, La Chapelle-Sur-Oudon, Brissarthe, Daumeray.

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