In Le Tronchet, nature and architectural history take center stage: the Forêt du Mesnil offers a glimpse into a large state forest, while former monastic buildings and churches tell the story of the area. Marked routes and golf round out the themes. When choosing your destination, you can consider whether forest, architecture or sport is most important for your stay.
Forêt du Mesnil: Forest and Wildlife
The Forêt du Mesnil covers 592 hectares and is a state forest managed by the French National Forestry Office (Office National des Forêts). Oaks and beeches dominate the forest; conifers account for a quarter of its area. It provides a habitat for roe deer, wild boar, badgers, stoats, weasels, foxes, squirrels and numerous birds. For nature enthusiasts, the forest’s size is not the only point of interest; the variety of its trees and wildlife is another.
Marked Routes with Different Highlights
The Circuit de la Forêt du Mesnil is 11.5 kilometers long, marked in yellow and starts at Le Tronchet town hall. It leads to the Pont d’Agou, a very old dry-stone bridge. At 18.2 kilometers, the Circuit de Mireloup is longer and is designated as a marked route for horse riders and mountain bikers. When choosing between them, both the distance and the mode of transport matter: the two routes are intended for different activities.
Golf with Views of the Étang de Mireloup
The Saint-Malo Golf Resort offers two courses with nine and 18 holes, respectively. The Old Course is a nine-hole par-36 course, 2,646 meters long, with a slope rating of 124. The course offers views of the Étang de Mireloup and the Forêt du Mesnil. The information on hole count, length and slope gives you specific points of comparison if golf is one of your travel interests.
The Former Abbaye du Tronchet
The surviving remains of the former Abbaye du Tronchet include the church, the cloister and several rooms built onto its south side. Each side of the cloister is 75 meters long and consists of eight round-arched arcades. The cloister contains gardens where monks grew vegetables and medicinal herbs. There is also a remarkable holly tree there, planted in 1643. The dimensions and the regular sequence of arcades make the complex interesting from an architectural perspective, too.
Churches and Chapels in Le Tronchet
The parish church of Notre-Dame in Le Tronchet was built between 1659 and 1679. Above its west portal is a reused 14th-century window; the church has a Latin cross floor plan. The Chapelle du Haut Mesnil was built in 1875 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Chapelle du Mesnil des Bois was blessed in 1866. Historically, a pilgrimage was held there on the first Sunday of every September. The cemetery chapel is the Surcouf family chapel and probably dates from the 1860s—so its date is probable, not certain.
Restaurant and Choosing Where to Stay
Le Jardin de l’Abbaye is a fine-dining restaurant on L'Abbatiale in Le Tronchet. Its bistronomic cuisine is described as authentic, seasonal and sustainable. Check the current opening hours before planning a visit to the restaurant. If you are looking for a hotel in Le Tronchet, first choose the area based on your main interest: nature trails, the history of monasteries and churches, or golf.
Discover more destinations: Muel, Iffendic, Mouazé, Saint-Marc-Sur-Couesnon, La Bazouge-Du-Désert, La Nouaye, Treffendel, Antrain
Return to the regional travel overview: Ille-Et-Vilaine.
