Rouez: Abbey, churches and mining history

In Rouez, architectural history and practical visitor interests go hand in hand: the Abbaye de Champagne, Château de Courmenant, Chapelle Saint-Jacques and Église Saint-Martin offer several historical points of interest. Added to these are former gold and silver mining, a short trail with a stated duration, and a glimpse of cheese-making on Fridays. This lets you decide what to focus on during your stay: buildings, local history, getting active, or seeing how things are made locally.

Culture and architectural history

The Abbaye de Champagne was founded in 1188 at the initiative of Foulques Riboul, the lord of Assé. He brought monks from Savigny Abbey, which had itself belonged to the Cistercian Order since 1147. The west wing of the abbey contains a cellar considered the only surviving remnant of the original 12th-century abbey. The site’s history thus runs from the abbey’s foundation to a tangible remnant of its original layout.

Château de Courmenant also dates from the 12th century. A watermill is attached directly to it. The keep rises above the fields and the river. The mill’s connection to the château and the keep’s view over the fields and river offer different perspectives on the château complex.

Chapelle Saint-Jacques lies near the hamlet of Le Bray, at a junction of several roads and where the municipal boundaries of Sillé-le-Guillaume, Rouessé-Vassé and Rouez meet. It probably dates from the 18th century. Its distinctive location and cautious dating are important clues to understanding the chapel.

Église Saint-Martin was built in the 12th and 13th centuries and later altered several times. Its furnishings include a 16th-century equestrian statue of Saint Martin and two altarpieces donated by parish priest Urbin de Gennetay. The building’s history and furnishings offer different themes through which to explore the church’s development and its religious art.

Mining history and walking trail

The Mines de Rouez were a former gold and silver mining site; extraction ended in 1997. Plans for the subsoil beneath Rouez-en-Champagne also called for more than two tonnes of gold and seven tonnes of silver to be extracted over a period of four years. These planned quantities are a distinct aspect of local mining history, alongside the mining operations that have since ended.

The Parcours familial multi-activités is a very easy 2.2-kilometre walking trail, taking about 30 minutes. The start and finish are in front of the Fondation Serge et Andrée Le Grou, and part of the route follows the GR365. This makes it easy to fit the short walk into your stay, with an approximate time in mind. As route details may change, check the latest information before setting off.

Cheese-making and places to stay

At Ferme Tout-Joly, you can visit the cheese dairy on Fridays from 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to discover how and where the farm’s cheeses are made. The visit focuses on the cheese-making process and the place where the cheeses are produced. As visitor arrangements may change, check the latest information in advance.

For weddings, family gatherings, birthdays and seminars, the Abbaye de Champagne rents out rooms with sleeping accommodations as well as gîtes. If these options suit your occasion, confirm the current arrangements before making plans.

Discover more destinations: La Ferté-Bernard, Chantenay-Villedieu, Montfort-Le-Gesnois, Challes, Saint-Georges-De-La-Couée, Vezot, Degré, Montaillé.

For the regional travel overview: Sarthe.