Lavernat: Chestnut Groves, Forest Trails and Église Saint-Pierre

Anyone looking for a hotel for a trip to Lavernat can get a sense of the place from its specific natural and cultural features. These include chestnut groves with Nouzillard trees, a trail through deciduous and coniferous woodland, the Église Saint-Pierre, and the Fête du Nouzillard, held every year in early November. Which of these aspects shapes your trip depends on whether you want to focus on nature, architectural history, or a seasonal festival.

Chestnut Groves and Nature

The Département de la Sarthe owns and maintains the Guillaumeries and La Naillerie chestnut groves in Lavernat. At the site of the ENS des châtaigneraies de la Naillerie et des Guillaumeries is a former orchard used for chestnut production. Nouzillard chestnut trees grow there. The Département owns about three hectares at the ENS site, where around 85 old Nouzillard chestnut trees stand. The area and tree count are approximate; together, they give an indication of the size of the grove. The site is close to the A 28 motorway.

Forest Trails and Landscape

After leaving the village, the “Lavernat – Aux portes de Bercé” circular trail runs mostly along forest tracks and paths through varied areas of deciduous and coniferous woodland in the Forêt de Bercé. This gives the trail a different landscape character from the named chestnut groves: here, the focus is on a route through different types of woodland, while there it is on the local Nouzillard variety and an approximate count of old trees. This comparison helps distinguish two nature-related themes with different emphases, rather than grouping them together under the general term “forest.”

Église Saint-Pierre and Architectural History

The “Aux portes de Bercé” circular trail passes the Église Saint-Pierre in Lavernat. Parts of the church date from the 11th and 16th centuries; these dates refer to individual components, not to a single construction date for the entire building. The route thus points to two distinct building phases and ties the cultural interest to a specific place.

Fête du Nouzillard and Chestnut History

The Fête du Nouzillard is held in Lavernat every year in early November. One festival programme combined celebration of the local chestnut variety with the protection of its environment. This gives the chestnut theme a seasonal, festive dimension as well as a connection to nature. If the event is important to your trip, check the date for your travel year before booking.

Another historical connection reaches into the surrounding area: in the past, chestnuts were sold as “marrons” at markets in Mayet and nearby. This former trade adds a regional commercial history to the chestnut themes. The time references differ: the orchard was formerly used for production, while old Nouzillard trees stand at the ENS site; the sales at the markets in Mayet also belong to the past. The Église Saint-Pierre adds another perspective, with components from two centuries, while the festival provides an annually recurring date in early November.

Discover more destinations: La Bazoge, Bouloire, Asnières-sur-Vègre, Mézeray, Gesnes-Le-Gandelin, Saint-Aubin-Des-Coudrais, La Milesse, Coulaines

Go to the regional travel overview: Sarthe.