Le Coudray-Macouard combines the history of a former fortified town on a limestone hill with manor-house architecture, church art and handcrafted weather vanes. The La Vélo Francette passes through the town; a route from here also leads to Abbaye d’Asnières and can be travelled on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike. The range of themes therefore extends from local history to tours using different means of transport.
A townscape on the limestone hill
Le Coudray-Macouard was a fortified town and is situated on a limestone hill. During walks through its winding lanes, visitors can discover manor houses and châteaux behind high tuff-stone walls and within the entrances of large gates. The town’s character is therefore not shaped by just one building: the lanes, walls and gates together provide the setting for its stately architecture.
Troglodyte dwellings are also part of this built heritage. They bear witness to an unusual way of life and represent a distinct aspect of the town’s history. Together with the manor houses and châteaux, they show the variety of historic building styles found in Le Coudray-Macouard.
Manor house, church and architectural history
La Seigneurie du Bois is a 15th-century manor house that was extended in the 16th century. Eglise Saint-Aubin represents a different historical chapter: originally a chapel of the feudal castle, it became the parish church after the Wars of Religion.
Eglise Saint-Aubin preserves a 12th-century ogival bay vault with cylindrical ribs in the Plantagenet style. “Ogival” describes a pointed-arch vault form; the cylindrical ribs are another specific feature. The church also contains a remarkable altarpiece and a rich collection of statues. The church can thus be understood both through its former role as a castle chapel and its later role as a parish church, as well as through its architecture and works of art.
Visits and weather-vane craftsmanship
La Seigneurie du Bois offers guided tours of the village and manor house by prior appointment. Arrange a time before your trip if you would like to take this tour. Atelier de la Girouetterie offers something different: a self-guided visit with an information sheet. The weather-vane maker demonstrates and explains the production process and the history of weather vanes. Check access to the workshop before your visit.
The workshop designs, restores and reproduces handcrafted weather vanes and signs made from copper, zinc and brass. Alongside the history of weather vanes, the materials and the craftwork are also central to the experience. The two visits differ in format: a prior appointment is required at La Seigneurie; at the workshop, a self-guided visit with an information sheet is available.
Routes and ways to travel
The La Vélo Francette passes through Le Coudray-Macouard. Another route leads from here to Abbaye d’Asnières and can be travelled on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike. This distinction is useful when planning: one route passes through the town, while the other has a named destination and several specified ways to travel. You can therefore decide whether to focus your stay on the townscape and cultural sites or combine it with a tour to the abbey.
Before setting out, check the current route of the La Vélo Francette and the conditions on the route to Abbaye d’Asnières. Route alignments and conditions can change. You can combine the local cultural and craft offerings with two different route options without needing to use the same means of transport for both.
Discover more destinations: Yzernay, Gennes, Martigné-Briand, Blou, Vernoil-le-Fourrier, Nueil-Sur-Layon, Saint-Georges-Sur-Loire, Baugé En Anjou
For the regional travel overview: Maine-Et-Loire.
