Chenu: Architectural History, Moats and Trails

Chenu brings together several distinct reasons to visit: historic buildings, a garden with moats, a Romanesque church apse, and a walking trail along forest paths with remarkable trees. The highlights are clearly distinct for planning purposes: the Ancienne grange dîmière and Château du Paty focus on architectural and heritage history, while the church, route and fruit farm each offer their own details.

Architectural History and Garden at Château du Paty

The Ancienne grange dîmière de la Merrie was built in the 13th century and altered in the 15th century. It was classified as a Monument historique by decree dated 18 October 1993. To understand the chronology, distinguish between the construction phases and the protected status: the building and alterations date to the Middle Ages, while the decree dates from 1993.

The protected parts of Château du Paty include the façades, roofs, entrance portal and bridge over the moats. The garden of Château du Paty is laid out in the English style and includes several magnificent trees and a water-filled moat.

The moats of the Jardin du château du Paty were created in the mid-11th century on a feudal mound. They are mainly fed by a system that diverts the municipal stream, Chef de Ville. The stream lies two kilometres east of the main buildings. Springs and the aquifers of the hill north of Paty also contribute to the water supply.

Church, Art and Visit Planning

The Église Saint Martin de Tours dates from the 12th and 13th centuries; the apse of the chancel is Romanesque. Inside is an oil painting from 1654 depicting the Adoration of the Magi. The church thus brings together a medieval building and a precisely dated 17th-century work of art.

The keys to the Église Saint Martin de Tours are available from Chenu town hall. As the key arrangements may change, check with the town hall before your visit for the latest information.

Walking Trail and Fruit Farming

The Circuit du Viaduc in Chenu is an easy 4.6 km walking trail that takes one hour. It follows forest paths and passes remarkable old trees, including oaks, a skeletal chestnut tree and old pollarded willows with hollow trunks. Check the latest route information before setting out.

At Ferme Les Quantières, visitors are introduced to how a fruit farm operates. The farm has an environmentally friendly organic orchard with traditional varieties—especially old ones—as well as new varieties. These include Bertanne, Saint-Germaine, Dalinette and Delisdor. Farming practices may change; if this is important to you, check the latest information before travelling. Also ask about the current visiting times.

Discover more destinations: Oizé, Cré, Saint-Ulphace, Avezé, Précigné, Domfront-En-Champagne, Thorigné-Sur-Dué, Saint-Aubin-Des-Coudrais.

For the broader travel overview: Sarthe.