Nonant-le-Pin combines architectural and local history with various ways to explore the area. The church and castle ruins provide a historical setting; there is also the story of Marie Duplessis’s birth, a stud farm, a walking trail and a tourist route. When planning, it is worth considering the local walk and the longer drive as different types of outing.
Church, castle ruins and local history
The church of Saint-Blaise-Saint-Cyr-Sainte-Julitte stands in the centre of the village. The cemetery surrounds it, and the church building dates from the 11th to 12th centuries. The Château de Nonant includes the remains of a tower and a chapel from the 15th century. The different dates give local history a specific timeframe and make it possible to compare two historic structures.
The story of Marie Duplessis’s birth is another special connection to the village: she was born in Nonant-le-Pin on 15 January 1824 and is also known as La Dame aux Camélias. The tourist route “Sur les pas de la Dame aux Camélias” takes its name from her. It is 48 kilometres long and runs from Nonant-le-Pin to Gacé. It can be travelled by car, motorcycle or motorhome. Check the current signage and route before setting out.
For those interested, the Haras de Montaigu offers another way to learn about the area: you can see stallions there or visit the stud farm. This makes it possible to combine local cultural history with a visit dedicated to horses and the stud farm.
Hedgerow landscape and protected areas
The historic area of the Haras du Pin is designated as a protected site, covers 1,433 hectares and includes Nonant-le-Pin. Almost all of it lies within the Natura 2000 area FR2502014 “Bocages et vergers du Sud Pays d’Auge”. Dense hedgerows and old trees characterise the area. These clearly defined landscape features are part of its character, alongside its buildings.
The historical designation of the Orme du cimetière is another dated record. The original tree was designated as an isolated tree by a decree dated 6 January 1921. This designation provides a historical point of reference without equating the Orme du cimetière with the larger area of the Haras du Pin.
Walking trail or tourist route
The Les Terres Noires walking trail starts next to the church. The route is 10 kilometres long and takes about two hours and twenty minutes. This approximate walking time offers a useful reference when planning a walk during your stay.
Different planning considerations apply when choosing between the two routes: for Les Terres Noires, the walking distance and approximate duration are the main factors; for “Sur les pas de la Dame aux Camélias”, they are the 48-kilometre distance, the destination of Gacé and the available vehicle types. The distances therefore describe different activities, not comparable journey times. First decide whether you would like to go for a walk or take a tourist drive; if driving, check the signage and route afterwards.
Discover more destinations: Le Theil, La Madeleine-Bouvet, Aubry-En-Exmes, Dame-Marie, Saint-Julien-Sur-Sarthe, Rânes, Champcerie, Semallé.
Go to the main travel overview: Orne.
