Discover Saint-Aubin-Des-Coudrais

Saint-Aubin-Des-Coudrais combines a layered church history with a named walking trail and visits to a garden and a farm. At its heart is the Église Saint-Aubin, a former priory church with several historic building phases. The “À travers les collines de Saint-Aubin” walking trail also leads to viewpoints in the hills of the Perche Sarthois. The Jardin du Grand Sablon and Ferme All’Herbe offer further visits, each with its own focus.

Church history and visiting the Église Saint-Aubin

The nave and porch of the Église Saint-Aubin probably date from the second half of the 11th century. A left aisle was added around 1553. Its building history can therefore be divided into more than one phase: the presumed early parts were followed by a later extension. The approximate date of the older sections and the year of the extension mark different points in time.

The church’s history extends beyond its building phases. During the 16th-century Wars of Religion, the former priory church was fortified. Elements of the Église Saint-Aubin’s fortifications date from around 1600. The church also has a wooden bell tower from the 17th century. Taken together, these details offer a chronological perspective, from its presumed medieval origins through the conflicts of the 16th century to later structural features.

The Église Saint-Aubin is open to visitors year-round. You can collect the key from the town hall, bakery or butcher’s shop by leaving an identity document as a deposit. Check the local arrangements for collecting the key before your trip so you can plan your visit accordingly.

Walking in the hills of the Perche Sarthois

The “À travers les collines de Saint-Aubin” walking trail is 13 kilometres long and offers several viewpoints across the hills of the Perche Sarthois. The distance gives you a clear indication of how long the walk is, while the viewpoints make the landscape its main focus. This offers a distinct activity alongside the sightseeing: a marked walking route rather than a visit involving key collection or an appointment.

Garden visit and farming

The Jardin du Grand Sablon can be visited on the first weekend of June as part of “Rendez-vous au Jardin,” as well as by appointment. Unlike the church, which is open to visitors year-round, garden visits are limited to this event weekend or require prior arrangements. If you make an appointment, confirm the visiting arrangements before you travel, as they may change.

At Ferme All’Herbe, visitors are welcomed among the pastures. The cows live there year-round in a dynamic grazing system, making pasture-based farming part of the visit. You can also visit the grain-growing area to learn about three principles of soil-friendly farming: permanent soil cover, no soil disturbance and crop diversity. The farm visit therefore covers both the pastures and the approach to soil management and crop diversity.

A tasting of products is also offered during a visit to Ferme All’Herbe. Check the visiting arrangements before your trip. To choose between the local experiences, consider their different focuses: church architecture and history, a 13-kilometre walk, a seasonal garden visit or one by appointment, or a farm visit covering pasture-based farming and soil-friendly agriculture.

Discover more destinations: Montbizot, Montreuil-le-Chétif, Cogners, Le Lude, Lhomme, Neufchâtel-En-Saosnois, Sillé-Le-Philippe, Dureil

For the broader travel overview: Sarthe.