Montsûrs: Architecture, the Jouanne and the Arboretum

For planning a trip to Montsûrs, its architectural history, the Jouanne and a market that moves seasonally offer different points of interest. If you are looking for a hotel in Montsûrs, you can plan your stay around religious buildings, the arboretum or a market day. When exploring the sights, dates, architectural styles and route details can help you understand the different themes.

Culture and architectural history

The Tour Pigeonnier is a preserved remnant of the former Château de Montsûrs. The Tour Renaise is also a preserved building in Montsûrs.

The former Saint-Martin Church was abandoned in 1855. Its preserved choir contains a wooden altarpiece dating from 1722, created by Le Bourdais. The year the church was abandoned and the date the altarpiece was created provide different chronological reference points for the church and its furnishings.

The Saint-Martin Chapel is a Romanesque building dating from the 10th century. The high altar, tabernacle and altarpiece in this chapel are classified as Monuments historiques. This means that you can consider both the chapel’s Romanesque date and the protected status of three specifically named furnishings.

The Eglise des Trois Marie de Montsûrs was built from 1855 to 1859 on the site of an earlier chapel. That chapel was dedicated to the Trois Marie—Mary Magdalene, Mary of Clopas and Mary Salome. The church is Neo-Romanesque and built of limestone and granite rubble stone. Among other things, it contains stained-glass windows from the François Fialeix workshop, which are protected as individual objects. The Neo-Romanesque style and materials describe the building; the protected status applies to the stained-glass windows as individual objects.

The Jouanne, the arboretum and the walking trail

The Jouanne crosses Montsûrs, takes in the Deux-Evailles stream as its main tributary, and then winds between the valleys of Saint-Cénéré.

The Arboretum de Montsûrs has a signposted path along the Jouanne. The also signposted Arboretum walking trail No. 46 is 4.9 km long. The route description establishes the connection with the river, while the length indicates the extent of the named walking trail. The arboretum is open year-round free of charge; temporary changes are possible. Trail conditions may also change, so check for current information before your visit.

Seasonal market in Montsûrs

The MARCHÉ DE PRODUCTEURS LOCAUX ET BIO (LOCAL AND ORGANIC PRODUCERS’ MARKET) takes place from October to May every Thursday from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Halles de la Jouanne, the former Proxi. From June to the end of September, it is held on the banks of the La Jouanne near the municipal campsite in Montsûrs. If you are planning to visit the market, check the current date and venue in advance: the season, opening hours and location may change.

A variety of local producers offer cheese, meat, beer, apple juice, coffee, honey, vegetables, flowers and preserves at the market. The range of products and the changing venue give you two concrete points to consider when planning: which products interest you, and which seasonal date suits your visit?

Discover more destinations: Carelles, Coudray, Oisseau, Neuilly-Le-Vendin, Ambrières-Les-Vallées, Neau, Montigné-Le-Brillant, Ménil.

For the broader travel overview: Mayenne.