Connerré brings together hiking trails through the countryside, cultural landmarks and its own rillettes tradition. The Circuit de la Stèle runs along the heights of the commune and leads to the Stèle and the Maison des Résistants. When planning a stay, you can choose the destination with its landscapes, architectural history and food culture in mind: these themes offer different points of focus rather than prescribing a set itinerary.

Hiking among landscapes and places to discover

Two different routes are worth considering for a hike. In addition to the countryside on the heights, the Circuit de la Stèle includes two named places to discover: the Stèle and the Maison des Résistants. The Circuit du Gué aux Anes is also a hiking trail that passes through the countryside around Connerré. The practical difference lies in the focus of each description: the Stèle route has specific destinations, while the Circuit du Gué aux Anes emphasizes the route through the countryside. You can make your choice based on whether you prefer named places or mainly the trail through the countryside.

Trail conditions can change; check the current conditions before setting out.

Architectural history at the church and manor house

Several periods are reflected in the Église Saint Symphorien et ses retables. Some parts date from the 16th and 18th centuries. At the same time, the lower sections of the main façade and the wall bases of the nave still point to the 11th or 12th century. The older features are therefore found in specific parts of the building, while other elements date from later centuries. When exploring the architecture, it is worth distinguishing between these parts and dates rather than assigning the church to a single building phase.

The Parc du Manoir de la Jatterie brings together the manor house, park and hillside setting. The manor house is characteristic of the 18th century, and the park includes a hornbeam avenue on a slope. A gateway with a dovecote dating from the 17th century encloses the courtyard. The structure combines a gateway and dovecote and marks the boundary of the courtyard. Here, too, there are different historical periods: the manor house has the character of the 18th century, while the gateway dates from the 17th century. The hornbeam avenue and hillside setting add the park’s design to the architectural picture.

Rillettes tradition and road cycling

Food culture is also part of Connerré’s local history. Connerré is considered the birthplace of rillettes; in particular, the Lhuissier and Prunier houses made the town the capital of Sarthois rillettes. This culinary tradition adds another perspective on Connerré to its architectural landmarks and gives you another theme to consider when planning a trip, alongside buildings and hiking trails.

For a different kind of outing, there is Boucle n°9, a road-cycling circuit. This offers a second type of activity alongside the hiking trails. If you choose Connerré for a stay, the countryside, architectural history, rillettes tradition and road cycling can each provide a different starting point for planning.

Discover more destinations: Tennie, Flée, Saint-Michel-De-Chavaignes, Villaines-sous-Lucé, Fontenay-Sur-Vègre, Rouillon, Lavernat, Valennes.

For the broader travel overview: Sarthe.