Two stained-glass windows created in 1908 in the Saint-Martin parish church give Ballots a precise art-historical point of reference. Alongside this sacred art, a Marian shrine with an annual procession, a listed château complex and nature-related attractions shape the picture of the town and its surroundings. When looking for a holiday rental for a trip to Ballots, you can first consider whether art and local history, a religious feast day or outdoor activities will shape your stay. The Base de loisirs de la Rincerie lies between Ballots and two neighbouring municipalities.
Stained Glass in Saint-Martin
The stained-glass artist Auguste Alleaume from Laval created the two decorative windows in 1908. They are located in window openings 5 and 6 of the transept of the parish church. Their design combines a Gothic architectural frame with oval motifs and medallions. Window 5 depicts the Sacred Heart of Mary and the monogram M.A.; window 6 depicts the Sacred Heart of Jesus with an accompanying inscription and a cross. The motifs make the two works easy to distinguish: one shows Mary with her monogram, while the other shows Jesus with an inscription and a cross. Visitors interested in sacred art will find several specific details to look for in the windows and use to tell them apart.
The Château Complex and Religious Tradition
The Château du Roseray has been listed as a historic monument since 6 February 1989. The protected complex includes not only the château but also the former stables, the moats and surviving features of the park’s original layout, including the allée verte. The château is privately owned; its listed status should not be taken as a guarantee that it is open to the public.
Le Petit Pontmain tells a different story. In 1927, residents of Ballots erected a statue of the Virgin Mary on a column there and named the site after Pontmain. A procession is held here on 15 August for the Assumption of Mary. The tradition resumed in 1961 after being interrupted during the Second World War. The date gives the religious tradition a clear place in the annual calendar: if you would like to plan your trip around the procession, check the event details in advance.
Natural Sites and Leisure Activities
One natural feature in Ballots is the Mare du parc de loisirs des 3 chênes. It received the “Sur le chemin de la nature” label on 26 November 2016. This is distinct from the Base de loisirs de la Rincerie: it lies between Ballots, La Selle Craonnaise and Saint-Aignan-sur-Roë, on a protected 120-hectare site with a lake as well as green spaces and woodland.
Activities at the Rincerie include options on land and on the water. They include fishing, hiking, orienteering, mini golf and swin golf, mountain biking, Nordic walking, archery, team sports and blokarting. Water activities include catamaran sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, Mainaleau, pedal boating, water skiing and wakeboarding. This clearly distinguishes the leisure centre from the art and religious history: here, the focus is on choosing from a wide range of land- and water-based sports.
Consider whether your trip should focus mainly on the topics mentioned in Ballots or whether you would also like to include the intercommunal leisure centre at Rincerie. Check a property’s location against the places you actually plan to visit rather than assuming, based on the name Ballots alone, that other destinations are nearby.
Discover more destinations: Placé, Saint-Georges-sur-Erve, Brécé, Châtillon-Sur-Colmont, Coudray, Désertines, Préaux, Aron.
For the broader travel overview: Mayenne.
