The history of the parish church of Sainte-Gauburge and the manor house of Le Vauferment spans the 16th to the 19th century; horse-riding activities and local festivals offer additional reasons to visit. This distinction makes it easier to choose when to travel and what activities to plan, without prescribing a fixed itinerary.
Church, manor house and local history
The present-day parish church of Sainte-Gauburge was built after the two parishes were united in 1864, replacing the former churches of Sainte-Colombe and Sainte-Gauburge. The foundation stone was laid in 1869, and the church was consecrated in 1875. The merger, start of construction and consecration form a clear sequence that helps place the creation of the present church building in time.
The parish church has two neo-Gothic side altars, two tabernacles and two altarpieces. The altarpieces are dedicated to the Sacred Heart and the Virgin Mary. Those interested in church art can therefore consider not only the period of construction but also the named furnishings and their religious dedications.
The manor house of Le Vauferment offers a different timeline: it was built in the 16th century, altered in the 18th century and bears the date 1739 on its lintel. After 1871, it was converted into a barn, and the upper floor was removed. The date on the lintel should therefore be distinguished from the house’s earlier construction. While the church is associated with the union of the parishes and its own construction, the change of use belongs to a later period in Le Vauferment’s history.
At the entrance to Sainte-Gauburge-Sainte-Colombe, a wayside cross stands beside the D926 departmental road when arriving from the direction of Paris. Its location provides a specific landmark for the journey from that direction.
Horse-riding activities and local festivals
The Centre Equestre de Sainte Gauburge offers horse-riding activities for nature-loving day-trippers, competitive riders, children from baby-pony age and people with disabilities. The programme includes rides lasting one to two hours, treks, introductory and advanced courses, and junior courses for children aged 7 to 14. A ride with a specified duration is a different planning option from a course or a trek. Confirm the specific arrangements with the centre before your trip.
The FĂŞte de la Terre is a long-standing local tradition. Traditional activities such as ploughing, regional produce and equestrian demonstrations sit alongside newer entertainment, including helicopter sightseeing flights, concerts and a mountain-bike show. The different events give the festival a range of thematic attractions. If you would like to plan your stay around it, check the programme for your specific travel dates.
The village festival of Sainte-Gauburge-Sainte-Colombe takes place every third weekend in June. If the festival is the reason for your trip, check the specific dates for your chosen travel year before planning your stay around it. This gives you a recurring point of reference in the calendar; for the FĂŞte de la Terre, by contrast, the programme for the relevant date is what matters.
Discover more destinations: Champeaux-Sur-Sarthe, Lougé-sur-Maire, Autheuil, Semallé, Ceton, Réveillon, Saint-Denis-Sur-Huisne, Saint-Cyr-La-Rosière.
For the broader travel guide: Orne.
