Forests, slate mining and historic architecture give Combrée several distinct themes to explore during a stay. The interpretive trail “Sur les pas du mineur masqué” has a particularly well-defined route: it covers a set distance and focuses on the forest’s built and natural heritage.

Forest Trails and Leisure Activities

The interpretive trail is 3.5 kilometres long and reveals the forest’s heritage in an area designated as an Espace Naturel Sensible. The trail entrance is behind the school. This gives you both the route length and a specific landmark to help plan your visit. The distance makes it easier to include the trail as a separate part of your day; its theme brings together natural and cultural heritage.

Combrée’s municipal forest covers about 90 hectares and has a fitness trail. The two trails have different focuses: the interpretive trail centres on nature and history, while the fitness trail offers an opportunity to exercise. During a visit to the forest, you can therefore choose between a themed discovery and an activity with a different focus.

Another leisure option is the 18-hole swingolf course at Combrée’s leisure centre. If you would like to include this activity in your plans, check its availability in advance, as it may change. This lets you consider swingolf as a separate activity rather than treating it as a forest trail.

At the Cercle des Perreyeurs, visitors can discover boule de fort. The game is played on a unique, curved lane with asymmetrical balls. These features give this traditional activity its distinctive character. Availability may vary, so bear this in mind when planning your visit.

Slate Mining and Historic Architecture

At the Bel-Air slate quarries, the foundations of the steam engine for Shaft 2 have been preserved. This gives the slate-mining theme a specific technical dimension, centred on a named machine and a particular shaft. It offers a different perspective on local history from the natural heritage explored on the interpretive trail.

The Église Saint-Pierre was built in the 17th century and has undergone several phases of construction and alteration. Its architectural history therefore cannot be reduced to the century in which it was built. The Chapelle de la Sainte-Famille adds a link to the Bel-Air slate-mining settlement: it was built in 1905 to serve the settlement.

Another landmark is the former college building, a monumental structure dating from the mid-19th century. The dates of the three buildings mark different points in time: the 17th-century church is followed by the mid-19th-century college building and the chapel of 1905. This timeline offers a distinct perspective on Combrée’s architectural history, separate from the forest and mining themes.

When choosing what to see, you can distinguish between the different themes: the interpretive trail has a stated length and combines forest and cultural heritage; the historic buildings represent a sequence of different construction phases. Swingolf and boule de fort add other leisure options. You can shape your stay around whether you are most interested in nature and mining history, architecture or leisure activities.

Discover more destinations: Briollay, Doué-La-Fontaine, Angers, Champtoceaux, Montsoreau, Meigné-Le-Vicomte, Saint-Mathurin-Sur-Loire, Nuaillé.

For an overview of the wider area: Maine-Et-Loire.