Enregistrer
Monhoudou church, dedicated to Saint Hélier, houses a magnificent 17th century altarpiece from the former Perseigne Abbey.

Built in the shape of a Latin cross, Saint Hélier church has a bell tower topped by a gambrel roof, typical of religious buildings in the Saosnois region, as in Saosnes, Dangeul and Vezot.

With its rustic appearance and well planted in the middle of the square, which was formerly the cemetery, the building is embellished with a few chimeras on the gables, including an eagle holding a ribbon in its beak.

Its origins probably date from the 11th century, but the most significant period is the 15th and 16th centuries, although it was heavily altered in the 18th century.

It has a flat chevet with a flamboyant window, which was condemned when the altarpiece was installed.

The interior of the church is covered by a panelled vault and houses important furnishings such as the altarpiece, which is thought to have come from Perseigne Abbey. This 17th century wooden altarpiece has been somewhat modified to fit into a space that is almost too small.

In the chapel, a beautiful carved wooden tabernacle bears the date 1672 and the signature of "Thomas Poupri d'Alençon", restored in 2012. The gilding work required 950 hours of work, and 1,700 sheets of gold representing a surface area of 11 m2!

The church also has a beautiful 18th-century chest with three separate locks.