Monhoudou: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Monhoudou combines the Église Saint-Hélier with a remarkable density of historical details and several signposted circular trails. The church probably dates back to the 11th century. Its defining historical period was in the 15th and 16th centuries, before it was extensively remodelled in the 18th century.

Culture and History

The Église Saint-Hélier has a Latin-cross floor plan and a bell tower with a pitched roof, characteristic of religious buildings in the Saosnois region. The nave contains several polychrome terracotta statues from the 17th century, including Saint Roch and a depiction of the Education of Mary. The historical inventory also includes a 17th-century altarpiece originating from the former Perseigne Abbey, as well as an 18th-century church administration chest with three separate locks.

The sacristy contains a four-door cupboard dated 1737; this cupboard is listed as a protected movable cultural object. The church’s carved wooden tabernacle bears the year 1672 and the signature “Thomas Poupri d’Alençon”.

Courbomer is also associated with various historical layers. The Château de Courbomer acquired its present form through extensive renovation work carried out between 1858 and 1860. The medieval fortified manor of Courbomer stood near the Fossés-Robert, an area marked by border rivalry between the County of Maine and the Duchy of Normandy.

Circular Trails

The footpaths in Monhoudou are signposted from the information board in the church square. The Circuit de Haut et Clair circular trail is 1.4 kilometres long. A longer route is the Circuit de l’Enfer et du Pont Romain, which is 7.4 kilometres long and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.

The trail network also includes the red circular trail. It follows the paths de l’Enfer, de la Renardière, du Tertre, de Haut-et-Clair and du Pont Romain.

When planning a trip, you may wish to focus on renting a holiday apartment in Monhoudou.

Landscape

Monhoudou is crossed by the Moire and Gravée waterways.

For the higher-level travel overview: Sarthe.

More Destinations

More places in the same destination:

Le Mans, Cherreau, Saint-Corneille, La Milesse, Oizé, Mézières-Sous-Lavardin, Le Lude, Brette-Les-Pins.