Part of the Chapelle Saint Joseph du Chêne is built in the crown of a sessile oak. A remarkable oak stands beside the chapel; its age is estimated at 2,000 years. This combination of tree and building is a distinctive feature to look out for when exploring Villedieu-la-Blouère.
Chapelle Saint Joseph du Chêne
The larger chapel was built between 1866 and 1869 with the support of the residents of Villedieu-la-Blouère and consecrated on 30 August 1899. Inside, you can see a statue carved from white stone: it depicts Saint Joseph with the gently sleeping infant Jesus. Here, an unusual architectural form, a clearly dated history and a specific image motif come together. Those interested in religious art will find another detail to focus on alongside the architecture.
Churches and local history
The Église Saint Christophe de la Blouère was built in 1860 by Albert Tessier, an architect from Beaupréau. Its neo-Gothic features include pointed arches over the openings and foliage decorations on the small columns. The church also contains ten medieval tombstones known as the “Cénotaphes des Chevaliers de Malte” (“Cenotaphs of the Knights of Malta”). Access and visits are by request only; tours are led by historian Yves Naud.
The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Villedieu-la-Blouère has its own historical record: on 29 August 1894, Mgr Pessard blessed its foundation stone. He was Vicar General and Prelate of the House of His Holiness. Crosses of the Templar Order and the Order of Malta can be found on two keystones of the vault and in patterns in the paving.
The churches offer different points of comparison: at the Église Saint Christophe, the focus is on neo-Gothic forms and the aforementioned tombstones; at the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, it is on the blessing of the foundation stone and the crosses in the vault and paving. The dates take you from the construction of Saint Christophe in 1860, through the chapel’s building period from 1866 to 1869, to the blessing of the foundation stone in 1894.
The Lourdes Grotto lies on the outskirts of La Blouère. After the war, every family in La Blouère donated time to its construction, which was intended to preserve Mary’s protection permanently. The grotto thus adds a community perspective to the religious history of the area.
Walking and observing nature
The “Des chênes et des landes” route starts in Villedieu-la-Blouère, is 10 kilometres long and is marked in yellow. Along the walk, you can discover several wooded areas in the commune. The stated distance gives you a specific figure to weigh against your schedule.
The Sentier de l'Étang des Lavandières has a different focus: as you walk the trail, you can submit biodiversity observations. The two trails therefore differ in the information that can guide your choice: for “Des chênes et des landes,” the length and trail markings are given, while the Sentier focuses on observing and submitting findings. When choosing an activity, you can decide whether to prioritise a stated route length or biodiversity observations.
Discover more destinations: Thorigné-D'anjou, Saint-Aubin-De-Luigné, Challain-La-Potherie, Parçay-Les-Pins, Jallais, Beauvau, Les Rairies, Chavagnes.
For the broader travel overview: Maine-Et-Loire.
