Ruillé-en-Champagne: Church, Nature and Circuit de la Vègre

Three distinct themes can be included in your travel plans for Ruillé-en-Champagne: the parish church of Saint-Nazaire-et-Saint-Celse, the Carrière souterraine de Bernay natural area, and the Circuit de la Vègre. They represent architectural and artistic history, a habitat for mammals, and a signposted walking and hiking trail. If you are looking for a hotel in Ruillé-en-Champagne, these highlights can help you weigh up your interests for your stay. They differ in whether your focus is on a historic building, nature, or the route of a trail.

The church and its stained-glass history

The parish church of Saint-Nazaire-et-Saint-Celse in Ruillé-en-Champagne was rebuilt between 1895 and 1899 based on plans by architect Pascal Vérité. A design created by Auguste Alleaume for Window 18, depicting the Baptism of Christ, was reused in 1927. The dates describe two different events: 1895 to 1899 marks the rebuilding phase, while 1927 marks the design’s reuse. The year 1927 should therefore not be confused with the rebuilding. This distinction places the architectural history and the design of the window in separate contexts, even though both belong to the same church. The Baptism of Christ identifies the design’s subject, while the name Auguste Alleaume identifies its creator. The church’s history can thus be traced both through its rebuilding and through a single window.

The Carrière souterraine de Bernay natural area

The Carrière souterraine de Bernay covers 4.1 hectares and is (as of 2025) a continental ZNIEFF Type 1 site. It is located in Ruillé-en-Champagne and Bernay-Neuvy-en-Champagne. Two small underground galleries lie within a deciduous forest, where several bat species find suitable conditions for hibernation. The site is also significant for its mammal fauna and as a migration, stopover, and roosting site. These terms refer to different ecological functions: migration, temporary stays, and resting places. Along with the galleries’ hibernation conditions, they make this a natural area where the underground spaces, forest, and mammals should be considered together. Its habitat and wildlife offer a distinct focus alongside the area’s architectural history.

The Circuit de la Vègre

The Circuit de la Vègre is a signposted walking and hiking trail. The start and finish are at the church car park. The route follows a stream and then heads back towards the village. It therefore has a clear starting and finishing point, with the section along the stream as a notable stretch. Unlike the church or the natural area, the focus here is on walking along a signposted trail. Check local route information and current trail conditions before setting out, as conditions may change.

Planning highlights

The three themes address different planning questions: at the church, you can place the rebuilding phase and window design in their historical context; the natural area focuses on habitat and the functions it serves for mammals; and the Circuit offers a route with a stream section and a return towards the village.

Discover more destinations: La Bruere Sur Loir, Conflans-Sur-Anille, Saint-Gervais-en-Belin, Aigné, Précigné, Mamers, Saint-Corneille, Fercé-Sur-Sarthe

View the regional travel overview: Sarthe.