Discover Saint-Georges-De-La-Couée

Saint-Georges-De-La-Couée can be explored through a range of cultural, historical and landscape themes. These include the Chapelle Saint-Fraimbault, the parish church of Saint-Georges and the history of the Briqueterie du Fourneau. The Étangsort Valley also offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding and cycling. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, these different themes can help shape your plans: you can take in religious buildings and rural heritage as well as activities in the valley.

Chapel and parish church: comparing their architectural histories

Several periods come together at the Chapelle Saint-Fraimbault. Its apse and part of the nave date to the early 11th century. After the nave collapsed in the 17th century, it was rebuilt. Wall paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries were uncovered in the chapel. A Merovingian sarcophagus was found beneath the altar; popular tradition connects it with Saint-Fraimbault. This connection is part of the tradition. On 27 September 1971, the chapel was listed as a historic monument. A major restoration in 2018 focused primarily on completely renewing the roof.

The parish church of Saint-Georges also reveals its history through several building phases: it was built in the 11th century, extended in the 12th century, and given a two-bay Renaissance chapel in the 16th century. It is classified as a historic monument. Compared with the Chapelle Saint-Fraimbault, it reflects a different development: the extensions and Renaissance chapel shape the parish church’s architectural history, while the Chapelle Saint-Fraimbault’s story also involves early building elements, reconstruction and restoration.

Rural heritage at the Briqueterie du Fourneau

The Briqueterie du Fourneau is a rural industrial site dating from the 19th century. The site includes a kiln, an exhibition barn and numerous troglodytic structures. The kiln is particularly well preserved. The works operated from the 1830s until 1920, producing bricks, roof tiles, tiles and lime. Troglodytic cellars on the site are associated with viticulture and winemaking. Several aspects of rural production come together here: firing and shaping building materials, and using cellars in connection with wine.

Another place to visit is La Fraimbaltaise in Saint-Fraimbault, a craft venue with a shop, workshop and garden. It focuses on metalwork and sculpture. Visitors can view decorative objects and works by the artist-poet; he can also open the chapel adjoining his home. Visits in 2026 are listed for the period from 6 January to 22 December. Check the specific opening details before planning your visit. The Briqueterie de St-Fraimbault has opened to visitors for the European Heritage Days, with the Compagnons de Saint-Georges offering guided tours with commentary. Before travelling, check the event dates and whether a visit is being offered.

The Étangsort Valley and Fontaine Marie

The Étangsort Valley is a classified site and is recommended for hiking, horseback riding and cycling. The Étangsort River is a tributary of the Veuve, which flows into the Loir and eventually the Loire. The river sequence described therefore runs from the Étangsort through the Veuve and Loir to the Loire. Fontaine Marie adds a spring-fed washhouse to the area’s cultural and landscape attractions.

For your trip, this offers a choice of different focuses: you can explore the churches’ and chapels’ building phases, the production history of the Briqueterie, or activities in the Étangsort Valley. If you plan to visit La Fraimbaltaise or attend an event at the Briqueterie de St-Fraimbault, it is worth checking the stated visiting conditions and dates in advance. This makes it easier to choose a hotel that suits the themes that matter most for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Montbizot, Teloché, Crosmières, Brûlon, Rouperroux-le-Coquet, Lhomme, Saint-Pavace, Luché-Pringé.

For the broader travel guide: Sarthe.