A bell dating from 1422 and a spring beneath the chancel floor mark two very different sides of Mouais: sacred heritage and local religious practice. There are also walking trails through a varied landscape, as well as equestrian activities and mill experiences.

Churches and Heritage

The Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption is open to the public during the day, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It houses the oldest bell in the département, dating from 1422, as well as a marble statue of Saint Roch. The statue was donated by Dr Daguin, who was a member of the General Council at the time. Check the opening information again before your visit.

The Chapelle Saint-Marcellin preserves another sacred feature: a spring dedicated to Saint Apollonia lies beneath the chancel floor. It is considered a place of prayer for people with toothache; it is thought to have miraculous powers. The chapel can be visited with an audio guide; collect the keys from the café.

These are two forms of sacred heritage side by side: in the church, the bell and statue catch the eye, while in the chapel, the spring and its connection to Apollonia take centre stage. Mouais’s heritage also includes the former courtroom of the monks. The former quarries supplied stone used for construction. These traces complement the religious sites with a glimpse of past legal proceedings and the practical use of local stone.

Landscape and Trails

Agriculture accounts for 94 percent of the area of Mouais, and the commune also has almost 82 kilometres of hedgerows. Walking trails criss-cross Mouais, leading through a mosaic landscape of meadows, hedgerows and wetlands. The Chère runs alongside almost the entire southern boundary of the commune. This offers a different focus for a walk than a visit to the church or chapel: the trails bring the varied agricultural landscape to life, while the river marks the southern boundary. The landscape can be viewed at two scales: the trails pass through individual landscape features, while the length of the hedgerows and the extent of agricultural land describe the character of the commune as a whole.

Horse Riding and Planning Your Time

At the Poney Club du Moulin des Grées, you can go riding on horseback or pony; visitors can also tour the stables and groom the horses. The indoor riding arena offers one-hour sessions for beginners, intermediate riders and experts. For planning your day, the time comparison is straightforward: an arena session lasts one hour, while a ride can last from one hour to a full day and must be booked.

Watermill and Production

A visit to the Moulin du Pont-Godalin watermill includes the mill itself, its waterwheel, a tour of the outdoor grounds, an explanatory video and a slideshow about the last miller’s family. Visitors can also see the production and sale of bread, cakes, galettes, crêpes, buckwheat flour and cider. The waterwheel and tour make the visit tangible, while the video and slideshow add explanations and family history.

For an overview of the wider region: Loire-Atlantique.