Between its river landscape, circular walk and heritage, Dissay-Sous-Courcillon offers several ways to get to know the area. The focus is not just on individual buildings: the course of the Long, the history of a mill, and various listing and protection dates provide several thematic starting points. Two specific figures are especially useful for planning your trip: the length of the circular route and the duration of an individual visit to Le Prieuré.
Rivers and circular walk
The two rivers, the Long and the Escotais, flow through Dissay-Sous-Courcillon and meet outside the town centre. The Circuit de Vauperon starts in the town and is designated as a PR hiking trail. This easy circular walk is 8.8 kilometres long, follows the Long valley and offers the opportunity to discover the Château de Courcillon. The château gave the village its current name. This walk brings together river landscapes, exercise and a heritage site that gave the village its name. As route details may change, check them before setting out.
Church and priory
The choir of the church of Dissay-sous-Courcillon has been listed as a historic monument since 4 February 1927. The south aisle contains two statues: John the Baptist and Saint Genevieve. Both date from the 17th century and were classified as historic objects on 15 April 1907. This distinguishes a listed part of the church from two statues with their own dates and protection history.
The priory is another heritage highlight: it is associated with monumental paintings depicting animals and people. These were classified as historic objects on 10 June 1987. Allow an average of at least 45 minutes for an individual visit to Le Prieuré. Check visitor information before planning your visit, as it may change.
Menhirs, château and mill
The Menhir dit de la Pierre Levée is located at La Pierre Levée in Dissay-Sous-Courcillon. Another stone monument is the Menhir de la Serpinerie, which has been listed as a historic monument in Dissay-Sous-Courcillon since 24 November 1984. At the Château de Courcillon, the château and its park are designated as heritage sites; the château’s surroundings are designated as a protected area. Each designation provides information about a different aspect of the local heritage.
The history of the Moulin Saint-Jacques can also be traced through its changing uses: it was first a grain mill, then a wadding factory, and later an industrial dairy and cheese factory. Today it is a private residence. This sequence brings the building’s different functions to life without reducing the town’s industrial history to a single use.
Planning your trip
Two different reference points are available for planning your day: the route length of the Circuit de Vauperon and the average minimum duration of an individual visit to Le Prieuré. Treat the walk and the visit as separate activities. This lets you allow the right amount of time for each, taking account of both the length of the circular walk and the time needed for the visit.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Château-Du-Loir, Thorigné-Sur-Dué, Louplande, Saint-Saturnin, Saint-Paterne, Rouillon, Pirmil, Cherreau.
For the overarching travel overview: Sarthe.
