Teloché: Churches, Chapels and Lime Kilns

Several aspects of cultural history come together in Teloché: the Notre-Dame de l’Épine Chapel, with its late medieval wall paintings; the Church of Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul; and traces of lime production. The Archaïsche Cross and the history of Le Rancher also offer insights into different periods. If you’d like to combine your stay with a hike, you can make the Circuit L'Epine – Teloché – T1 another focus of your visit.

Chapels, Church and Historic Traces

According to local tradition, the Notre-Dame de l’Épine Chapel was built around 1430 after the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared above a hawthorn bush. The chapel later became a place of pilgrimage. Its wall paintings date from the late 15th century. One scene depicts Saint Christopher with the Christ Child; another, a rare depiction in the region, shows the ferryman’s house. The chapel was listed as a historic monument by decree of 29 September 2021.

The Church of Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul is built in the Early Gothic style. Its broad nave measures 86 feet long and 32 feet wide, and is topped by a bell tower with a hexagonal spire. Its furnishings include a wooden statue of the Holy Virgin classified as a historic monument, a surviving section of a stained-glass window from 1579, and an altarpiece above the high altar. These details offer different ways to explore architecture and religious art.

The Archaïsche Cross is dated to the Carolingian period based on its shape and is one of the few surviving examples in the south of the Sarthe département. Le Rancher can also be viewed from several historical perspectives: the important lordship of Bélinois dates back to around the 9th or 10th century. Its medieval feudal castle was fortified, had two towers, and was surrounded by ditches and moats. The chapel at Le Rancher is Neo-Gothic in design and was consecrated in 1890.

Lime Kilns and Hiking Route

Lime production is another aspect of local history. Remains of former lime kilns have been preserved near the old lime kiln. The Teloché lime kilns have been located within the commune since 1927 and were built using Hennebique reinforced-concrete techniques. They are considered a rare, well-preserved example of rural lime production from the 1930s. Hemp is another part of the more recent agricultural history: between 1950 and 1970, it was the commune’s most important crop.

The Circuit L'Epine – Teloché – T1 is a yellow-marked circular hiking trail in the PR category. The route is 7 kilometres long, rated moderate, and listed as taking two hours. Its description highlights natural sites, monuments and places of interest. This gives you the option of choosing either a focus on cultural history or a specific hike for your stay, without treating them as the same outing.

Events and Practical Information

For those interested in events, Le Dôme and the Théâtre de Verdure at the Citadelle des Anges offer two different options. Le Dôme has a floor area of 250 square metres and a semicircular stage covering 30 square metres; the layout may vary depending on the event. The Théâtre de Verdure is an open-air theatre. Admission is free for events open to the entire external public; conditions may vary for individual events. If you’d like to plan your trip around a particular date, check the programme in advance.

Parking spaces for people with reduced mobility are available opposite the Citadelle des Anges. The Citadelle is wheelchair accessible. Check the specific arrangements before your arrival. Teloché’s different attractions provide a practical basis for planning a stay around your interests in history, hiking or events.

Discover more destinations: Vion, Marolles Les Braults, La Suze-Sur-Sarthe, Mulsanne, Challes, Bouloire, Chahaignes, Valennes

For the broader travel overview: Sarthe.