The land and rural architecture around Bonnetable
Journey to the heart of an area of varied architecture, where the modest volumes of traditional buildings contrast with the more imposing buildings of the large estates. Along the way, you'll come across a number of timber-frame and cob buildings. This construction method, used until the early 20th century, is characterised by flashing walls insulating the timber-frame structure from the ground, filled with a mixture of earth and plants and sometimes covered with plaster.
Follow the narrow roads to Saint-Georges-du-Rosay, where you can admire the fortified church of Saint-Geroges and the private Manoir de Launay.
In Nogent-le-Bernard, take in the Church of Saint-Jouin and the 16th-century Château de Haut-Eclair.
Continue on through Rouperroux-le-Coquet, passing the former presbytery and the church of Saint-Mamert.
While you're in Courcival, take a look at the 17th-century château, which consists of a rectangular dwelling flanked by two round towers and a return pavilion. You can also see the church of Saint-Brice.
In Jauzé, stop in front of the thousand-year-old yew tree, considered to be the oldest tree in the Sarthe with an estimated age of 850 years. Take a look at the church of Saint-Barthélemy.
Then pass by the church of Saint-Pierre de Terrehault and the church of Saint-Barthelemy de Courcemont.
While in Courcemont, take a look at the vast manor house of Le Chesnay, built on a platform fortified by a moat and ramparts.
Before reaching Bonnétable, stop off at Beaufay to see the church of Saint-Martin or the former Pontigny dwelling dating from the 18th century.
Then on to Bonnétable, where you'll be enchanted by the Château, rebuilt in the 15th century, as well as the Church of Saint-Sulpice and the various middle-class houses you'll see along the way. Pass through the vegetable garden laid out in the 19th century by the Bühler brothers, famous French landscape gardeners. The Jardin Potager is a little paradise of 13,000m² surrounded by walls with old roses and clematis.
The charcuterie des Fins Gourmets, a LEBONPICNIC partner, will be delighted to provide you with picnic baskets of local produce that you have reserved in advance.
- Follow signs n°16 (brown)
- Possible variant between Terrehault and Bonnétable (follow signs without numbers)
- This loop is connected to circuits 14 and 15.
The complete guide "Le Perche Sarthois à vélo" is available for €3 from tourist offices and bookshops in Sarthe.
