Discover Cossé-Le-Vivien

Cossé-Le-Vivien offers a mix of culture and nature that can be divided into practical parts when planning a stay. Robert Tatin’s monumental sculpture complex and the Church of Saint-Gervais et Saint-Protais represent art and architectural history; walking trails and a Green Way offer further ways to explore the town and its landscape. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first decide whether your stay will focus mainly on cultural sites or outdoor trails.

Art and Architectural History

Robert Tatin’s monumental sculpture complex was built around the artist’s house in Cossé-Le-Vivien. The Allée des Géants is lined with 19 monumental statues made of painted cement. Their number and material make the avenue tangible as a succession of large-scale figures. The Archisculpture has been protected as a historic monument since January 2022. During a visit, you can therefore appreciate both the complex built around the artist’s house and the statues along the Allée as distinct aspects of local art.

The Church of Saint-Gervais et Saint-Protais brings its own architectural history to the cultural itinerary. Construction began in the summer of 1868, and the church was consecrated on 27 July 1877. The church contains more than 300 sculptures. The start of construction and the consecration mark the timeframe of its creation, while the large number of sculptures offers a distinct way to appreciate its artistic design. If you are interested in architecture, you can consider the building’s history and its sculptures as two specific aspects of the church.

Natural Areas and Trails

La Pré de Cossé is an established area for exploring nature, covering more than four hectares. It includes a one-kilometre circular trail with wooden boardwalks and information panels. The area and the trail length offer different points of reference for planning: the area provides a setting for exploring nature, while the loop is a specific route for a walk. This makes it possible to include La Pré de Cossé as a destination in its own right, without confusing the loop with a longer hiking route.

There are four walking trails in Cossé-Le-Vivien, where you can explore the commune’s landscape. Two of them have illustrated panels about local wildlife and plant life. The panels were created by students at Collège Saint Joseph. One of the two routes follows the Oudon, while the other passes the Musée Robert Tatin. The two trails can therefore be distinguished by their different points of interest: the Oudon on one route and the museum on the other. At the same time, both share the theme of illustrated panels about wildlife and plant life.

Another walking option is the Circuit de Cossé-le-Vivien, which passes through the Cossé wetland. Hikers can take a break at a small pond along the route. The wetland and pond give this hike a specific connection to nature and provide a possible rest stop along the way.

The former railway line in Cossé-Le-Vivien also now serves a recreational purpose: it is a Green Way open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders. This gives you the choice between walking trails and a route specifically intended for cyclists and horse riders as well. The different user groups can help you choose routes according to your planned mode of travel.

Getting There and Choosing a Hotel

Aléop route 140 serves Cossé-Le-Vivien on the route between Châteaubriant and Laval. If you plan to use this connection to get there, check the current timetable before travelling; route numbers and timetables may change.

Your search for a hotel in Cossé-Le-Vivien can therefore be guided by the activities that interest you locally.

Discover more destinations: Montsûrs, Ballots, Saint-Mars-Sur-La-Futaie, Laval, Ambrières-Les-Vallées, Saint-Georges-Buttavent, Longuefuye, Hardanges.

For the overview of the wider area: Mayenne.