The Forge de Varenne in Champsecret is the only surviving forge in the west of the Orne département and is classified as a Monument historique. The Forge de Varenne also preserves the remains of three iron-production workshops.
Another testimony to the local architectural history is the Chapelle du Cerisier. It was built in 1871 and restored in 1999. The small granite building has round-arched windows and a barrel vault lined with wooden boards.
The Église Notre-Dame de l’Assomption was built in 1682 in the middle of the former cemetery.
Textile crafts are also part of Champsecret’s history. Coarse fabrics were made here from hemp and were known as “Toiles de Champsecret”. For a time, the women of Champsecret made lace that was initially known as Point de France and later as Point d’Alençon.
Renting a holiday apartment in Champsecret can be part of planning your stay.
Landscape
The La Varenne is one of the most important waterways flowing through Champsecret. The area is characterised by a bocage landscape with extensive forests, hills and valleys. This bocage landscape includes sunken lanes, hedgerows and villages.
The Marais de la Prise-Pontin is a wetland in Champsecret in the Andaines Forest.
Hiking
The Circuit des Moulins circular hiking trail in Champsecret is 5 km long; the walking time is 1 hour 30 minutes.
The Chemin du Paradis is a historic pilgrimage route from Champsecret towards Mont-Saint-Michel. The route is 100 km long and takes four days of hiking.
Cuisine
Camembert Champ Secret is an artisan, farm-produced, AOP and organic Camembert.
Other destinations: Bagnoles-De-L'orne, Vimoutiers, La Perrière, Saint-Julien-Sur-Sarthe, Tessé-Froulay, Essay, La Ferrière-Bochard, Saint-Pierre-D'entremont
