A 1199 treaty links the history of the Priory of Notre-Dame d’Auvers-le-Hamon with King John Lackland and Guillaume des Roches. Other highlights include a church with features from several centuries, a washhouse with twin basins and a hiking trail that reaches Bellevue and the Manoir de Maupertuis. Auvers-le-Hamon therefore offers a range of ways to explore: individual reminders of local history or a longer circuit through the countryside.
Priory, church and historic landmarks
The Priory of Notre-Dame d’Auvers-le-Hamon was founded in the 11th century on the orders of Guy I de Laval. Between 1046 and 1051, he gave it to the Abbey of Saint-Pierre de la Couture so that a Benedictine priory could be established there. In 1199, the priory hosted King John Lackland, who signed a treaty there with Guillaume des Roches. Its foundation and the king’s visit mark different chapters in the history of the area.
The Église Saint-Pierre preserves a nave dating from the 11th century and a bell tower from the 12th century. Both were built from shale and Roussard sandstone; the choir and transept were rebuilt in 1866. The church has been listed as a protected monument since 23 August 1978. To gain access, collect a key from the town hall and present identification. Check the key arrangements before your visit so you can plan for this step.
The Camp retranché (éperon barré) is also a protected historic site: it has been classified as a Camp retranché (éperon barré) since 8 July 1976. The Chapelle Notre-Dame in the hamlet of La Chasnière was rebuilt around 1870. These structures reflect different aspects of local history, from a religious site in a hamlet to a classified historic feature.
Washhouse and the legacy of the mills
At the La Bailleulerie washhouse, also known as La Petite Bailleurie, its construction history and community life go hand in hand. The municipality bought the spring and a basin in 1820. In 1842, the washhouse was fitted with a covered pair of basins. For many years, it was a social hub for the community on major laundry days. The washhouse thus tells not only of its development as a building, but also of its former place in everyday community life.
Another place of remembrance is a stone millstone in front of the Salle des fêtes on Rue de Sablé. It recalls Auvers-le-Hamon’s history of milling. Together with the washhouse, it offers a tangible way to discover some of the town’s less imposing historic features.
Boucle Auversoise and the countryside
The Boucle Auversoise is a 9.6-kilometre hiking trail. It starts and ends at the Plan d’eau in the town centre and reaches Bellevue, which offers sweeping panoramic views over the Auvers-le-Hamon countryside and beyond. The route also passes the 15th-century Manoir de Maupertuis, combining a viewpoint with a named historic destination. The trail’s length can help you decide how to fit it into your day’s plans.
Several surviving anthracite spoil heaps offer a different view of the landscape. They can be seen from the D79 heading towards Poillé-sur-Vègre. This viewpoint differs from the view at Bellevue: here, an industrial feature shapes the scene, while there, the landscape opens out into a broad panorama.
Animal park and multisport court
The animal park at Espace Philippe de Jourdain was established in May 2020. You can see Ulysse the donkey, the two alpacas Gwendolyn and Mourus, goats, Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs and numerous types of poultry. The animals on display may change. Espace Philippe de Jourdain also has a multisport court equipped for basketball, football, handball, volleyball and tennis. The animal park and sports court offer two different activities within the same area, while the priory, church, washhouse and trail provide further ways to spend your time in Auvers-le-Hamon.
Discover more destinations: Ruaudin, Le Bailleul, Poille Sur Vegre, Saint-Georges-De-La-Couée, Chaufour-Notre-Dame, Mansigné, Saint-Pierre-Des-Bois, Pirmil
For the broader travel guide: Sarthe.
