Meslay-Du-Maine: Find Hotels for Culture and Gardens

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Editor's Choice

Pure Luxury

“Call me spoiled - but I love to be treated like a queen when traveling. Only the best is good enough for me. Hotels that make my vacation a dream of luxury and seduction are my choices. Pay attention to the (violet Medal) for luxury accommodation.”

Tatjana Herzegova, Kiew, Ukraine

Editor's Choice

Sustainable Travel

“There is only one earth and we should go out and see it. I like hotels, which look for sustainability. It is not only protecting the ecology, but also taking care for the local business and culture. I recommend the medal for eco accomodation. Let’s protect our earth. Sustainable travel is travelling with responsibility.”

Markus Lenk, Düsseldorf, Germany

The twisted church tower of Saint-Pierre was built in 1629. Together with the 11th-century tower, the Pont-Passe washhouse and Château des Arcis, Meslay-Du-Maine has a clear focus on architecture and local history. Castle gardens, a puzzle trail and racing events add a variety of interests to these themes.

Saint-Pierre and Pont-Passe

Saint-Pierre offers two specific points of reference for its architectural history: an 11th-century tower has four round-arched windows, and the twisted church tower was built in 1629. This winding tower is considered the only one of its kind in the Mayenne department. The different dates give the church building a distinctive historical dimension, making the shape of the windows as noteworthy as the twisted silhouette.

At the Pont-Passe washhouse, the focus is on the water supply. The Vassé stream feeds the washhouse; to do so, the stream was diverted from its former course. A fireplace was used to heat water for washing clothes. The water system and the means of heating the water thus tell the story of the practical requirements of doing laundry. Pont-Passe offers a different perspective on local history from Saint-Pierre’s architectural forms: here, the focus is on the use of water and the work involved in washing clothes.

Château des Arcis: Building, Gardens and Puzzles

Château des Arcis is protected as a historic monument. Its distinctive architectural features include a four-storey keep and a moat surrounding the château. The gardens add attractions of their own, including a rose garden and a maze island. A keep is the fortified main tower of a castle complex. Its four storeys draw the eye to the vertical design, while the moat surrounding it is another architectural feature.

There is also an activity at Château des Arcis: the Escape Garden is aimed at adults and children and includes a puzzle trail. This brings together several different aspects: the protected château complex, the garden features and solving puzzles. Those planning a trip with an interest in architectural history will find specific points of interest in the keep and the moat; garden enthusiasts can visit the rose garden and maze island. The trail offers its own playful focus.

Racing Events and Travel Planning

The Hippodrome de la Bretonnière racecourse adds an event that depends on the time of year. A 2025 official LeTROT dossier lists twelve race meetings per year; the number may change. If attending a race is important to your trip, check the dates for your planned travel period. This helps distinguish events from the year-round themes of architecture and local history.

The Office de Tourisme du Pays de Meslay-Grez in Meslay-Du-Maine provides information about accommodation, tourist attractions and hidden gems in the area.

Discover more destinations: Coudray, Villepail, Montourtier, Ménil, Nuillé-Sur-Vicoin, Saint-Aignan-Sur-Roë, Lassay-les-Châteaux, Cossé-en-Champagne

For the broader travel overview: Mayenne.

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