Montours combines a section of the Way of St. James with walking trails and historic sites. For planning your stay, the route stage can be clearly identified: the Voie des Plantagenêt, one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, passes through the village. At the same time, chapels, the church and traces from different centuries add their own cultural highlights. When choosing the focus of your trip, you can distinguish between the pilgrimage route, the landscape and architectural history.

Pilgrimage route and walks

The Voie des Plantagenêt is part of the second stage, from Saint-James to Fougères. This stage is 32.1 kilometres long in total; the distance refers to the entire route between the two towns, not just the section through Montours. There is a stage accommodation on the Way of St. James in the village. If you plan to stay there overnight, check its availability before your trip.

The walking trails also offer different highlights. The Terre Rouge circular route is lined with notable calvaries and granite crosses. These religious markers shape its character. The Du haut des Echelles de Montours walking trail passes the Chapelle Saint-Gorgon de Monthoux. The chapel is dedicated to Saint Gorgon; according to local tradition, it is associated with the healing of eye ailments. As route details can change, check the current route before setting out.

Landscape and orientation

The Ruisseau des Échelles flows through Montours and shapes a valley that links different natural areas of the region. Alongside its religious and historic sites, the landscape is therefore one of the destination’s defining features. The stream is a tributary of the Loisance; its role in the area can be understood both through the watercourse and the valley.

Another landmark is the Belvédère du Tertre. The viewpoint offers views over the surrounding landscapes of the Coglais and has an orientation table. This makes it a different kind of highlight from the chapels and historic buildings: here, the landscape takes centre stage, complemented by a table to help visitors find their bearings.

Architecture and traces of the past

The Église Saint-Martin dates from the 19th century, while older remains have also been preserved inside the church. The former 18th-century rectory is now used as the town hall and contains notable examples of religious art. The two buildings combine different historical associations with their respective present-day or former functions.

At Valaine, a medieval motte remains on the site of the former castle. The castle was destroyed between 1600 and 1630. The Chapelle Sainte-Anne is also in Valaine, where its notable Romanesque portal is a distinctive architectural feature. The motte and the portal draw attention to different forms of heritage: a surviving fortification and a prominent architectural element.

The Chapelle Saint-Gorgon de Monthoux dates from 1876. The area itself is also important to understanding Montours’ history: it had been linked to the Rillé de Fougères Abbey since the 12th century. In 1151, a donation of property by Raoul II de Fougères helped establish the priory of Montours.

There are several concrete ways to explore the history of the village: from the medieval motte to its connection with the abbey and the founding of the priory, and on to buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Those focusing on the Way of St. James will find the stage and stage accommodation useful when planning an overnight stay. Those more interested in heritage can make the chapels, church and historic traces the focus of their visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Chartres-De-Bretagne, La Baussaine, La Chapelle-De-Brain, Servon-Sur-Vilaine, Guichen, La Ville-Ès-Nonais, Saint-Broladre, Tinteniac

For the regional travel overview: Ille-Et-Vilaine.