A window dating from 1544, clearly distinguishable building phases at Notre-Dame, and two routes with different landscape features give Montaudin several distinct aspects. The church showcases architecture and stained glass. The Circuit du Taillis de Pouillé route is shaped by a watershed; the Circuit de la Pihoraye follows planted paths with historical links to the Château de la Pihoraie. Cultural details and different landscape themes sit side by side here.

Notre-Dame: Building history and stained glass

The Notre-Dame church in Montaudin was rebuilt to plans by departmental architect Eugène Hawke. The nave and transept date from 1889, and the choir from 1898; the dates therefore refer to different parts of the building. Notre-Dame is designed in the Neo-Romanesque style. The stylistic term describes the architectural form, while the dates place individual construction phases in time. Together, these details show both the church’s design and the chronology of its reconstruction.

An ensemble of five figurative stained-glass windows depicts the Sacred Heart, Saint John the Evangelist, Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint Francis de Sales, and Saint Francis of Assisi. A stained-glass window dating from 1544 depicts the Tree of Jesse and probably comes from the Manoir de la Futaie. This Tree of Jesse window is considered the only window in the Mayenne department to address this subject. The five named depictions and the dated Tree of Jesse motif provide different ways to understand the church’s stained glass.

Two routes, two perspectives on the landscape

The Circuit du Taillis de Pouillé runs along a watershed. Waterways in the northern section flow to the English Channel, while those in the southern section flow to the Atlantic. Two different drainage directions therefore shape the route’s geographical character. The Circuit also leads to the commune of Larchamp, where it connects with the Sente aux boisus interpretive trail. This route thus brings together a hydrological feature and a named trail.

The Circuit de la Pihoraye offers a different focus. It follows planted paths that once led to the Château de la Pihoraie. Its historical connection lies in this former route. The route is also considered a typical path through the Bocage, with beautiful panoramic views. The term Bocage refers to a landscape divided by hedgerows; here, this landscape character meets the history of the paths to the château.

The focus of each can be clearly distinguished: Notre-Dame brings together building history and stained glass. The Circuit du Taillis is defined by the watershed and its connection to the trail, while the Pihoraye route stands out for its former paths to the château and its Bocage panorama. Those particularly interested in architecture will find a cultural highlight in the church. Those who want to focus on the landscape can choose between the Taillis route’s hydrological perspective and the Pihoraye route’s historical path connections.

Discover more destinations: Montourtier, Andouillé, Saint-Georges-Buttavent, Montsûrs, Meslay-Du-Maine, Nuillé-Sur-Vicoin, Carelles, Saint-Denis-De-Gastines

For the broader travel overview: Mayenne.