Saint-Ouen-en-Belin: Nature Trails and Heritage

Saint-Ouen-en-Belin is a rural commune surrounded by meadows and forests. Circular walking trails, Étang de Claire Fontaine and historic buildings offer different starting points for planning your trip. If you are choosing between nature and heritage, you can use the information about trails and architectural history to decide what to focus on during your stay.

Hiking through forests and valleys

Circular trails pass through forests and valleys and near Étang de Claire Fontaine. The starting point for hiking trail SO1 is listed as Salle des fêtes l’Audonienne. A 2025 route leaflet gives its length as 7.4 kilometres, with a 7.8-kilometre variant, yellow markings and an estimated duration of 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. Circuit L’Audonien SO2 is a 14.8-kilometre circular hiking trail.

In terms of distance, SO1 is shorter than SO2, even with its longer variant. The estimated time applies to SO1; check local trail conditions before setting out. This lets you compare the two routes initially by their stated distances, without assuming a hiking time for SO2.

Étang de Claire Fontaine and nature experiences

Étang de Claire Fontaine is classified as a continental ZNIEFF Type 1 site. Its national identification number is 520006736, and its regional identification number is 40200002. Together with the trails through forests and valleys, this gives the commune’s nature-oriented side a distinct character: the pond is a named landmark, while the routes pass through different types of landscape.

CBON CBIO also offers a nature-focused experience: workshops in a permaculture garden provide an opportunity to discover the local flora and fauna. If you would like to include this in your trip, check the arrangements directly with the provider before you arrive. The hiking trails and workshops are different ways to explore the commune’s natural environment, so plan them as separate activities.

Architectural history and historic landmarks

Manoir de la Poissonnière dates from the 15th century and has been listed as a Monument historique since 1977. A large farmyard and moats surround the estate. A Flamboyant Gothic-style chapel is attached to the main building; it contains wall paintings that are now very faded. Check current access arrangements before travelling there.

The church also tells the story of a significant turning point in the commune’s history. It is Neo-Romanesque in style and was rebuilt in 1901 after lightning destroyed the earlier church on 7 July 1896. Inside the church, the Plaque d’Averton is an item of heritage interest. On the square beside the church, a war memorial topped by a stone eagle commemorates the residents of Saint-Ouen-en-Belin who died for France.

A tomb slab engraved with the effigies of Andrieu d’Averton and Isabeau de Breinville dates from the 14th century. It adds another specific detail to the commune’s historic record: alongside the architectural history of the church and manor house, the names and effigies of individuals also feature in its documented past.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Le Tronchet, Thoiré-Sous-Contensor, Dissay-Sous-Courcillon, Saint-Rémy-De-Sillé, Pezé-le-Robert, Cherreau, Thoiré-sur-Dinan, Vibraye.

For the wider travel guide: Sarthe.