Auvers-le-Hamon: Priory, Village Church and Walking Trail

Auvers-le-Hamon can be explored through specific historic sites and a named walking route. The priory, church and washhouse offer different points of connection to the village’s history; the Boucle Auversoise leads to a viewpoint and a manor house. When planning your stay, you can therefore decide whether to focus on architectural history, local heritage or time on the walking trail.

Priory and Church: History at Two Sites

The Notre-Dame d’Auvers-le-Hamon Priory was founded in the 11th century at the behest of Guy I de Laval. Between 1046 and 1051, he gave it to Saint-Pierre de la Couture Abbey so that a Benedictine priory could be established there. Another historical milestone is 1199: the priory hosted King John Lackland, who signed a treaty there with Guillaume des Roches. The founding and the royal visit mark two distinct periods in the priory’s history.

The Église Saint-Pierre offers a different perspective on the village’s architectural history. Its nave dates from the 11th century and its bell tower from the 12th century; both were built of slate and Roussard sandstone. The choir and transept were rebuilt in 1866. The church has been protected by inscription since 23 August 1978. A key is available from the town hall; visitors must present ID to borrow it. If you plan to visit the church, check the arrangements in advance.

Washhouse, Chapel and Other Heritage

At the La Bailleulerie washhouse, also known as La Petite Bailleurie, you can get a glimpse of community life in the past. In 1820, the municipality purchased the spring and a basin; in 1842, the washhouse was fitted with a covered double basin. For many years, it was a social hub on major washing days. Its history therefore tells not only of the structure itself, but also of the role communal washing played in village life.

Other sites offer different perspectives: the Chapelle Notre-Dame in the hamlet of La Chasnière was rebuilt around 1870. The Camp retranché (éperon barré) in Auvers-le-Hamon has been classified as a Camp retranché (éperon barré) since 8 July 1976. A stone millstone in front of the Salle des fêtes on Rue de Sablé recalls Auvers-le-Hamon’s milling history. These sites and the washhouse offer different ways to explore local history, from religious buildings to traces of past work and community life.

Walking and Enjoying the Landscape

The Boucle Auversoise is a 9.6-kilometre walking trail that starts and ends at the Plan d’eau in the village centre. Its length gives you a clear measure for planning your walk, while the central starting and finishing point provides an easy reference for the route. The trail reaches Bellevue, which offers a sweeping panoramic view over the Auvers-le-Hamon countryside and beyond. It also leads to the 15th-century Manoir de Maupertuis. The viewpoint and the historic stop are both part of the described route.

Another view of the landscape can be seen from the D79 towards Poillé-sur-Vègre: several anthracite spoil heaps remain there and are still visible. This adds a different, specific impression of the surroundings to the view from Bellevue. Comparing the viewpoints and the route can help you distinguish between a sweeping panorama and views of the surviving spoil heaps along the stated road.

Animal Park and Sports Facilities

An animal park was established at the Espace Philippe de Jourdain in May 2020. There you can see Ulysse the donkey, the alpacas Gwendolyn and Mourus, goats, Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs and numerous kinds of poultry. The same Espace has a multisport court equipped for basketball, football, handball, volleyball and tennis. Animal watching and several ball sports are therefore available as different options. The animal collection and facilities may change; if a particular animal species or sport is important to your visit, check what is currently available in advance.

Discover more destinations: Ruillé-en-Champagne, Pontvallain, Vaas, Marolles Les Braults, Le Lude, Marçon, Villaines-la-Carelle, Saint-Ouen-en-Belin.

For the broader travel overview: Sarthe.