Fougerolles-Du-Plessis: Culture, Gardens and Craftsmanship

Fougerolles-Du-Plessis brings together historic buildings, traces of gardens and craftsmanship, and a bocage landscape. Its highlights range from a chapel documented since the 12th century to a designated circular walking route. When planning your trip, you can treat cultural history and walking as two distinct areas of interest.

Historic Buildings and Traces of the Past

The Chapelle de Courbefosse is documented from the 12th century, though it is probably older. It houses a crowned polychrome stone statue of Notre-Dame de Coubefosse. The chapel is notable both for its long-documented history and for this particular work of art.

The Château de Goué is an inhabited 17th-century manor house, rebuilt on the site of a 14th-century castle. Tours for individuals and groups are available on request; visits are possible throughout the year by prior reservation. Check the current arrangements before your arrival.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception contains 19th-century stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. La Chapelle de la Bigottière offers another historical date: it was built in 1639 under the dedication of Sainte Geneviève. These dates point to religious building history from different centuries.

The Chapelle Saint-Joseph de la Garde was built in 1891 and is about one kilometre from the town centre. Check local access conditions before planning a visit.

Gardens and Wooden Clog Craftsmanship

The Jardin de Curé preserves an arbor planted in 1788, with several lime trees. Other features of the historic garden include a cross-shaped layout, straight paths and boxwood borders. These details make the garden’s geometric design as noteworthy as its planting.

The former parish garden is now a public space for walking, relaxing and playing. If the current facilities are important to you, check their status before your visit.

The Atelier du Sabot preserves historic tools and an exhibition of various wooden clog models. Its collection includes around a hundred wooden forms for shoe sizes from 5 to 11¾ inches. The tools, models and lasts represent different aspects of wooden clog-making: equipment, finished forms and adaptation to different sizes. Visitor access should be checked separately in advance.

Bocage Landscape and Circular Walk

The wider area around Fougerolles-du-Plessis is characterised by forests, hills, ponds and streams. The village itself is described as a bocage landscape with sunken lanes and hedgerows. Alongside the buildings, the bocage’s paths and hedgerows are another landscape feature to explore.

The municipal Circuit de randonnée Claire-Fontaine et la Chapelle de Courbefosse is 14.61 kilometres long and designated as a moderately difficult walking route. As a circular route, it returns to its starting point. Check local trail conditions; the distance, difficulty and circular layout offer practical guidance for planning your day.

Discover more destinations: Gorron, Placé, Bazougers, Hardanges, Méral, Saint-Germain-le-Guillaume, Ruillé-Froid-Fonds, Évron.

For the regional travel overview: Mayenne.