The Saint-Martin Church in La Bruere Sur Loir brings together three building phases and a rich collection of sacred art; the town’s history also reaches back to two castles. For visitors, this creates a distinct cultural focus, complemented by nature-themed attractions including a blue-marked circular walking trail and a pond area.
Saint-Martin: Building history from the early Middle Ages to the Renaissance
The Église paroissiale Saint-Martin has been protected as a historic monument since December 11, 1912. Its building history can be traced through three major phases: the first, early medieval building is partially destroyed; the timber-clad nave dates from the middle of the Middle Ages; and the monumental choir was added in the Early Renaissance. The 16th-century extension comprised a choir with two bays, polygonal apses and two side chapels, which together form a transept. This building thus makes it possible to trace the sequence of different periods.
Stained-glass windows, paintings and sculpture
The church’s current collection includes eight stained-glass windows. Their scenes depict the life and Passion of Christ, the life of the Virgin Mary, and the preaching of Saint John the Baptist. The paintings and sculpture also combine local attributions with wider artistic influences. The painting “Christ en croix avec sainte Marie-Madeleine” is probably by a local 18th-century painter and is a copy of one of the many crucifixion scenes by Charles Le Brun. The painting “Enfant Jésus retrouvé dans le Temple” is in turn a faithful copy of a composition by Philippe de Champaigne, painted in 1663 for the church of the Carthusian monastery in Paris. The statue of Saint John the Baptist is made of red terracotta and depicts the saint with a lamb. It was probably made by a sculptor from Le Mans who was active in the second half of the 17th century.
Two castles, different historical traces
The first known mention of the Château du Grand-Perray dates to 1422. The Château de la Maison Rouge is said to have been built at the end of the Middle Ages on land belonging to Grand-Perray. The former Château de la Maison Rouge stood north of a quadrangular courtyard flanked by corner towers. A large garden extended north of the residence as far as the stream. A landscaped park was later laid out, including freestanding towers surrounded by vegetation. The castle’s history thus centres both on an early known mention and on a recorded description of its courtyard, garden and park.
Walking trail, ponds and community facility
The circular trail “Découvrons pas à pas La Bruère-sur-Loir” is a blue-marked PR hiking trail. Another natural attraction is the Réserve de biodiversité de l'Abbaye, with its network of three ponds. At a nature event on June 5, 2024, pond species and measures for creating, restoring and maintaining these habitats were presented there. This program item was tied to the date stated; therefore, check current activities and access before visiting. La Bruère-sur-Loir’s community facilities also include a water basin with a jet ski. If you plan to include it in your itinerary, check access and usage options in advance.
Discover more destinations: Thorigné-Sur-Dué, Chenu, Avessé, Villaines-sous-Malicorne, Luché-Pringé, Vezot, Cherré, Courcelles-la-Forêt.
For the regional travel overview: Sarthe.
