For a stay in Mardilly, you can weigh up two interests: cultural history and routes on foot or horseback. The manor house, the Église Notre-Dame and the main altar reredos offer different starting points for exploring architecture and art; the two routes differ in activity, length and purpose. When looking for hotels, you can first decide which focus you want to shape your stay.
Manor House, Church and Art
The Manoir de La Bouverie is a 17th-century manor house in Mardilly and is listed as a historic monument. The manor house’s main construction phase is dated to the 17th century; the building work is dated to 1608. The manor house’s façades and roofs have been partially protected as a historic monument under a decree since 9 October 1968. The dates can be clearly distinguished: 1608 refers to the dated building work, and 1968 to the start of the protection. Only parts of the building are expressly protected, namely the façades and roofs.
The Église Notre-Dame dates from the 16th century and is built in the Romanesque style. Together with the manor house, it offers two different perspectives on local architectural history: the church is characterised by its century and style, while the manor house is distinguished by its main construction phase and dated year of construction. Century and style answer different questions: the former places the building in time, while the latter describes its architectural form.
Two motifs are arranged in different ways on the main altar reredos: the painting depicts the Descent from the Cross, while the upper scroll pediment is adorned with the Virgin and Child. The pediment forms the uppermost part of the reredos. This means the artwork can be described not only by its motifs, but also by their placement: the Descent from the Cross appears in the painting, and the depiction of the Virgin and Child in the upper section. For a cultural and historical interpretation, this relationship between subject matter and structure offers a concrete starting point for exploring religious art.
Hiking and Horse Riding in Mardilly
La Tournière is a 9 km hiking trail that begins in Mardilly. At 9 km long, the route provides a specific framework for planning; its activity is also clearly identified as hiking. If you include it in your travel plans as a walking route, you can distinguish this focus from that of a riding route.
The 3.2 km «Circuit équestre - chemin de liaison» riding trail also begins in Mardilly. It connects the riding routes «la Boucle de la Vallée de la Touques» and «la Boucle de Saint-Pierre-la-Rivière»; its purpose is therefore to link two named riding routes. This sets it apart from La Tournière not only in length, but above all in how it is used: riding rather than hiking. If you are looking for a route for a planned ride, its connecting function is an additional factor to consider alongside its 3.2 km length.
Discover more destinations: Cerisé, Le Sap, Saint-Symphorien-Des-Bruyères, Le Renouard, Courgeon, Les Champeaux, Saint-Julien-Sur-Sarthe, La Lande-de-Goult.
For the regional travel overview: Orne.
