Montjean: Saint-Martin Church, Château and Étang

Montjean brings together several distinct themes for a stay: the parish church of Église Saint-Martin, the Château de la Lanfrière with its gardens, the Étang de Montjean, as well as cycling and fishing. The church architecture, park design and body of water each add their own character. The church combines a 12th-century building, later alterations and a stained-glass window depicting a scene from 1906. The Château adds a French garden and an English park to these historical points of interest.

Église Saint-Martin: construction phases and a stained-glass window

The parish church of Montjean, Église Saint-Martin, is a 12th-century building. Its later alterations can be dated precisely: the west door was renovated in 1567. Work carried out in 1889 saw the transept built, the windows renovated and vaults installed. The work was carried out by departmental architect Eugène Hawke. A transept runs across the nave, while vaults define the shape of the church's ceiling.

A particularly specific detail can be found in stained-glass window panel 9. It commemorates the inventory of 1906 and depicts gendarmes entering the church on March 15 of that year. In the scene, a gendarme breaks the window with a sledgehammer. The construction work and the image therefore point to different moments in the church's history.

Château de la Lanfrière: residence and park

The Château de la Lanfrière is a 19th-century residence, built around 1840 by M. Morin Blottais, an industrialist from Laval. The Château has a French garden and an English park. The English park belonging to the estate covers 15 hectares and contains numerous remarkable trees. Both the building's history and the park's design are therefore among this site's defining features.

Visits are possible by appointment and include the entire outdoor area, the ceremonial entrance and the chapel. Without a reservation, the château is open during “Rendez-vous aux Jardins” and the Journées du Patrimoine. If you plan to visit for either event, check the specific event dates in advance.

Étang, Oudon Valley and activities

The Étang de Montjean is a 25-hectare body of water overlooked by the ruins of an old fortified castle. Montjean is also located in a valley watered by the Oudon; the road from Courbeveille offers a beautiful view of the town. For a bike ride, the “La Planante” route runs from Beaulieu-sur-Oudon through Montjean. Fishing for carp, trout and whitefish is possible at Pisciculture Le Moulin du Château. Check the operating period for 2026 before making plans.

Plan your bus journey

For bus journeys, the “Église” stop is a useful reference point: route 108 serves it in both directions, to Laval and to La Guerche de Bretagne. Check the current timetable before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Trans, Préaux, Ruillé-Froid-Fonds, Vaiges, Meslay-Du-Maine, Désertines, Lignières-Orgères, Azé.

For the full travel overview: Mayenne.