La Haye-du-Puits features historic buildings with different access arrangements: the interior of the keep is closed, while the Renaissance door at the château can be seen from the street. There is also a Neo-Gothic church, several trails and a weekly market. When planning your visit, it is worth keeping both these access arrangements and the different trail options in mind.

Keep, Château and Church

The Donjon de La Haye is an 11th-century fortified tower and the only surviving element of the former fortress, which had moats. Its exterior can be seen; access to the interior is closed for safety reasons. An information panel on site explains the keep. Check access arrangements again before your trip. The tower is therefore a reminder of a building history of which no other elements of the former complex have survived.

The Château de La Haye was renovated in the 16th century under Arthur de Magneville. Its Renaissance-style door can be seen from the street; the buildings are private and not open to visitors. So, to catch a glimpse of the château, the visible door is the point of interest—not a visit inside the buildings. The church offers another encounter with the Renaissance: the Eglise de La Haye contains the tomb of Arthur de Magneville, made of black marble and designed in the Renaissance style. It is listed as a historic monument.

The Eglise de La Haye itself is a 19th-century Neo-Gothic church in the commercial centre of La Haye-du-Puits. Its history also includes a visible change: the spire of the south tower was destroyed in 1944 and never rebuilt. The tomb, architectural style and tower spire each tell a different story about the church, and do not all date from the same period. Architecture enthusiasts will therefore find here a more recent building phase alongside the older keep and renovated château.

Trails around La Haye-du-Puits

Those interested in routes can choose from different options. The Voie verte Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte–La Haye-du-Puits runs for 15 kilometres along a former railway line lined with trees. The Mont-Castre mountain-bike loop heads from La Haye-du-Puits towards Lithaire, is 12 kilometres long and easy. The two routes thus differ both in length and in the type of route described: one follows a former railway line, while the other is explicitly described as an easy mountain-bike loop. There is also a discovery trail at Mont Castre with nine stops. The number of stops offers a different point of reference from the kilometre distances given for the two routes.

Nearby, between La Haye-du-Puits and Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte, lies the Réserve Naturelle Nationale de la Sangsurière et de l’Adriennerie. It is one of the last active lowland peat bogs; the peat layer is more than ten metres thick. Visitor facilities include a viewpoint, a picnic area and information panels. Guided visits must be booked in advance. Before your trip, check the arrangements for guided visits and the status of the visitor facilities.

Market and Visit Planning

The Marché de La Haye takes place every Wednesday morning. If you would like to include a visit to the market in your stay, check the current schedule before your trip.

Discover More Destinations

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