Ballots: Church Art, Pilgrimage Tradition and Nature

The distinctive themes associated with Ballots include sacred art, religious tradition and historic sites. The stained glass windows are in the parish church of Saint-Martin; Le Petit Pontmain is associated with an annual procession. Geographically separate from these is the Base de loisirs de la Rincerie, located between Ballots, La Selle Craonnaise and Saint-Aignan-sur-Roë. When planning your trip, you can consider these cultural themes and the leisure area as separate points of interest.

Stained Glass Windows in the Parish Church of Saint-Martin

Two decorative stained glass windows in the parish church of Saint-Martin in Ballots were created in 1908 by the glass artist Auguste Alleaume from Laval. They are in window openings 5 and 6 of the transept. Their shared year of creation and artist connect the works, while their locations also distinguish them within the church.

Both windows are set in a Gothic architectural frame with oval motifs and medallions. Window 5 depicts the Sacred Heart of Mary and the monogram M.A. Window 6 depicts the Sacred Heart of Jesus; this image includes an inscription and a cross. For art-loving travelers, the specific point of comparison is the different medallion motifs, while the year of creation and frame connect the two works.

Historic Monuments and Protected Sites

The Château du Roseray in Ballots has been listed as a historic monument since 6 February 1989. The protected ensemble includes the former stables, the moats and the park’s preserved original layout, including the allée verte. A bell was classified as a protected historic object on 9 August 1942. These dates refer to different protection measures: 1989 marks the listing of the Château du Roseray, and 1942 the classification of the bell.

Le Petit Pontmain and the Procession

Le Petit Pontmain was established in 1927, when residents of Ballots erected a statue of the Virgin Mary on a column and named the place after Pontmain. The name is thus directly linked to the site’s history. A procession for the Feast of the Assumption is held there every year on 15 August. This religious tradition was revived in 1961 after being interrupted during the Second World War. The site’s establishment and the later revival of the procession are two separate milestones in its timeline: 1927 is part of the history of Le Petit Pontmain, while 1961 relates to the procession.

Leisure Activities at the Rincerie

The Base de loisirs de la Rincerie is located between Ballots, La Selle Craonnaise and Saint-Aignan-sur-Roë. It is set on a protected 120-hectare site with a lake and green spaces and woodland. Activities include fishing, hiking, orienteering, mini golf, Swin golf, mountain biking, Blokart, Nordic walking, archery and team sports. Water sports include catamaran sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, Mainaleau, pedal boating, water skiing and wakeboarding. The options can be divided into two activity areas: land-based activities and water sports.

Geographically separate from this is the Mare du parc de loisirs des 3 chênes in Ballots. It received the “Sur le chemin de la nature” label on 26 November 2016. The Circuit de la Forêt à Ballots (No. 48) is a named circular route.

Discover more destinations:

Placé, Saint-Quentin-Les-Anges, Craon, Gorron, Changé, Fougerolles-Du-Plessis, Ménil, Carelles

For the broader travel overview: Mayenne.