Mézeray: Trails, Horse Riding and Local History

If you are looking for a hotel in Mézeray, you can choose your destination based on the interests the town brings together: hiking and riding trails, nature conservation, pottery and a long local history. The activities range from a specific ten-kilometre hike to courses lasting half a day or several days. This makes it easier to decide whether to focus your travel plans on exercise, hands-on activities or historical sites.

Trails for a range of activities

Mézeray has 50 kilometres of trails used by hikers, joggers and mountain bikers. The Boucle des Mésangères also starts here: an easy-rated, ten-kilometre PR hiking trail. The trail network describes a wider choice, while the Boucle is a named route with a specific length and stated difficulty level. If you are weighing up a single excursion versus several trail options, each offers different points of reference: the Boucle has a specified length and rating, while the trail network is also designated for jogging and mountain biking.

Horse riding and scenery

La Cavalerie Des Mésangères is an FFE riding school in Mézeray. It offers individuals and groups trail rides as well as two-hour riding lessons. If you are planning a riding lesson or trail ride, check current times and prices, as both may change. A riding trail awarded by the Conseil général de la Sarthe opened in Mézeray in September 2010. Check locally before using it to confirm that it is available.

The trails of the Boucle équestre de Mézeray are lined with hedges and centuries-old oak trees and pass through deciduous and pine forests. The town’s riding activities therefore include both riding lessons and trail rides, as well as a route described for its scenery. When planning, it is useful to distinguish between an offering from the riding school and the route, and to check the riding trail’s availability in advance.

Hands-on nature activities and crafts

Nature et Balade offers basket-weaving courses for children and adults. Courses are available for half a day or for one or two days. Nature et Balade also invites visitors to care for apple and pear trees in a conservation garden, plant hedgerows and take part in a project to create an arboretum. The activities range from a craft course with a specified duration to several ways of getting involved in nature conservation. If you would rather plan your stay around doing something yourself than visiting a site, you can consider these different formats.

Local history and cultural events

One notable historical site is the Etappengîte des Mésangères. It is located in a fortified farmstead dating from the 16th century and surrounded by moats. The Church of Saint Martin de Mézeray was built around 1912 to replace a medieval church. This provides two distinct construction periods: the fortified farmstead from the 16th century and the church, built around 1912 to replace its medieval predecessor. Mézeray is also on the Martinian Routes; the Sablé/Solesmes–Tours Martinian route passes through the town.

During a Heritage Days event, you can visit the Chaudemanche workshop, discover its pottery with distinctive decorations and glazes, and work with clay at the potter’s wheel. Heritage Days dates vary, so check when the event is taking place before you travel. The traditional horse festival is associated with September. If you want to plan your trip around it, check the specific event dates.

A local poultry tradition

Local food culture also has historical roots: Poularde chickens have been raised in Mézeray since the 15th century. The hen known as “La Flèche” is considered to have originated in Mézeray. These two traditions add a culinary perspective on the town to its history of buildings and trails.

Discover more destinations: Sillé-Le-Philippe, Challes, Loué, Château-Du-Loir, Sceaux-Sur-Huisne, Bousse, Vinay, Saint-Calais.

For the regional travel overview: Sarthe.