Gorron offers 24 kilometres of footpaths, the Colmont River and historic buildings as different reasons to explore. When planning your visit, you can decide whether to focus on a marked route, fishing, architecture or contemporary music. The town’s history stretches from a Neolithic menhir to the conversion of a mill into a hydraulic sawmill.
Trails and outdoor activities
The footpaths in Gorron cover a total of 24 kilometres. One specifically named route is the Sentier de la Colmont No. 11: it starts at the church, is marked in yellow and carries the FFRandonnée label. Check the current markings before setting out, as the label may change with route management.
The Parc de loisirs de la Colmont has a high ropes course. If you are interested in a marked route, you can consider the Sentier de la Colmont; the high ropes course offers a different focus for your activities.
The Colmont River runs through Gorron for just under three kilometres. The local stretch from the Taillis de la mort to the wastewater treatment plant at the foot of the Les Besnardières business park is open to fishing; fishing is also permitted at the Promenade Saint-Laurent. A first-category fishing licence is required. Check the applicable regulations before fishing.
Historic sites and architectural history
The Menhir de la Roche is a Neolithic menhir in Gorron. It has been classified as a historic monument since 15 March 1978. The two details refer to different points in time: the Neolithic classification describes the menhir’s period, while the date marks the start of its classification as a monument.
The first authenticated mention of the Church of Saint Martin dates from 1082. The Chapelle du Bignon was rebuilt in its present form in 1860; its site was a place of pilgrimage. Its architectural history therefore includes different traces—from the early mention of a church to the pilgrimage tradition associated with a chapel site.
The Logis de la Renardière is an old building that probably dates from the 15th century. The restored building retains an orthogonal tower with a spiral staircase. At the Moulin du Pré, also known as the Moulin Neuf, the focus is on its industrial history: in the late 1870s, the mill was converted into a hydraulic sawmill. The restored mill wheel is still visible, as are the gears that convert water power into driving power and the sluice gates used to regulate water flow.
A possible focus on music
Festid'Al is a contemporary music festival documented since 2010; two-day open-air concerts have been held in Gorron in July. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the latest dates and programme in advance.
Discover more destinations: Quelaines, La Rouaudière, Moulay, Châtillon-Sur-Colmont, Neuilly-Le-Vendin, Meslay-Du-Maine, Ambrières-Les-Vallées, Nuillé-Sur-Vicoin.
For the broader travel overview: Mayenne.
