An archaeological walking trail in Allonnes passes the Tour aux Fées and the remains of the Temple of Mars Mullo. Churches, the CERAM and other routes also offer different points of focus when planning a stay. If you are interested in archaeology, you can link the route with the historical interpretations of the sites; cultural offerings and walks along the Sarthe complement this perspective.

Archaeology between Sites and Interpretation

The “Sur la Trace des Temples Antiques” route is a moderately difficult circular trail for walkers. It is 10.9 kilometres long and takes about two hours. Along the way, it passes the archaeological site of the Tour aux Fées and the remains of the Temple of Mars Mullo. The sanctuary of Mars Mullo was visited until the beginning of the 4th century AD. The Tour aux Fées, in turn, was initially interpreted as a funerary monument before Pierre Térouanne identified it as a temple. These different clues give the circular trail a specific historical focus.

The CERAM complements its archaeological themes with interpretation programmes. Its public programme includes temporary exhibitions, conferences, performances, workshops, visits and introductions to archaeological research; educational materials are also available. Individual programme items may change, while the interpretation of archaeological research remains the lasting focus. Most rooms and activities are accessible to people with disabilities. If you require specific accommodations, check the details again before your trip.

Churches with History and Cultural Life

The Church of Saint-Martin in Allonnes was founded in the 11th century. It houses an 18th-century altarpiece listed as a historic monument. The church’s founding history and furnishings bring together different periods: the church itself has medieval roots, while the altarpiece dates from a later century. A visit to Saint-Martin can therefore focus both on the history of the building and on a single protected work of art.

The Church of Saint-Doucelin offers a different focus: both religious and secular concerts are held there. Together, the two churches illustrate different aspects of Allonnes’ cultural offerings—the historic furnishings of Saint-Martin and the use of Saint-Doucelin as a concert venue. If you include cultural sites in your plans, you can consider these alongside the archaeological themes.

Choose Walks by Distance and Focus

The routes described also differ in their focus. Alongside the moderately difficult archaeological circuit, which takes about two hours, there is a walking route of about 10 kilometres that makes more of the Sarthe and the body of water at the La Gémerie leisure centre. This gives you a choice of different route themes without conflating the archaeological sites with the riverside route.

The walking route of about 10 kilometres starts at the Moulin de Chaoué car park in Allonnes. It follows the Sarthe, loops around the body of water at the La Gémerie leisure centre in Arnage, and returns to the starting point. Access conditions at the water may vary by season; check them before setting out. Another route description concerns La Forêterie: as far as the bridge before La Gémerie, this route follows the Vélobuissonnière cycle path (V44). This information helps distinguish the La Forêterie route from the Sarthe loop starting at Moulin de Chaoué.

The focus of each option can be summarised briefly: the “Sur la Trace des Temples Antiques” route links the trail with archaeological sites; the walk from Moulin de Chaoué follows the Sarthe and loops around the body of water at La Gémerie. The CERAM, the churches and the routes described thus offer different ways to explore Allonnes during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Chemiré-en-Charnie, Bazouges-sur-le-Loir, Guécélard, Coulombiers, Saint-Saturnin, Montreuil-le-Chétif, La Suze-Sur-Sarthe, Tennie.

View the main travel guide: Sarthe.