Jupilles: Discover the Forest and the History of Clogmaking

Jupilles brings together the forest world of the Forêt domaniale de Bercé and the history of clogmaking. It is also home to Carnuta, a playful, interactive place to discover the forest, and the Saint-Pierre parish church, which reflects several periods of construction. These themes offer different perspectives on the town: the forest, craftsmanship, and architecture each have their own distinctive character.

Forest and trails in the Forêt domaniale de Bercé

Jupilles is an ideal base for discovering the Forêt domaniale de Bercé. Numerous forest lanes run through the massif and invite you to explore on foot, by mountain bike, or on horseback. Each way of getting around offers a different way to explore the lanes. Seasonal restrictions may apply and should be taken into account when planning your visit. Carnuta also offers forest outings with an ONF staff member. If you would like to take part, check the specific dates in advance.

Carnuta: the forest world and wooden architecture

Carnuta is a playful, interactive place in Jupilles to discover the forest world. The building is distinguished by its architecture, which is entirely made of wood. Two distinct aspects come together here: the forest world is the focus of this discovery centre, while the wooden architecture characterizes the building. Unlike the lanes that run through the forest massif, Carnuta focuses on the forest world as a subject in its own right.

Clogmaking at the Saboterie de Jupilles

The Saboterie de Jupilles reveals another side of the town’s history. The “Sabot de Jupilles” became well known at the end of the Second Empire. Visits to the Saboterie are by appointment; confirm the current arrangements in advance. They showcase the history of clogmaking in Jupilles, the tools used in the last century, and the making of clogs on various machines. The historical context and demonstration of the manufacturing process are presented together.

For visits with children, the demonstration can be supplemented with a workshop. Children decorate silhouettes of small wooden clogs, which they can then take home. The workshop is an optional addition, so check its availability when making your appointment. This allows you to plan your visit around the demonstration and, if offered, the workshop.

The building history of the Saint-Pierre parish church

The Saint-Pierre parish church in Jupilles complements the forest and craftsmanship themes with a historic building that reflects several periods. Its main periods of construction date from the 11th century, the 16th century, and the second half of the 18th century. The church’s history therefore spans several centuries rather than a single construction phase. Another specific detail is the remains of Renaissance stained glass in two choir windows. Together, the building periods and window fragments offer different clues for understanding the church’s history and architecture.

Discover more destinations: Coulaines, Chahaignes, Ruillé-en-Champagne, Pezé-le-Robert, La Ferté-Bernard, Teloché, Lavernat, Poille Sur Vegre.

For the full travel guide: Sarthe.