Saint-Pavace brings together routes along the Sarthe and historic buildings. When planning, it is worth taking a closer look at the different routes: the versions of the “Circuit au bord de la Sarthe” differ in both length and current accessibility. The “Circuit des moulins” has its own distinct features, covering 29 kilometres between two named endpoints. Other specific historical points of interest include Château de Chêne-de-Cœur, La Cour and the present-day parish church.

Routes along the Sarthe and different trails

There are walking paths along the Sarthe. The 8-kilometre version of the “Circuit au bord de la Sarthe” circular route, with a chain ferry, takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes; 75 percent of the route is on paths. The route is marked in blue.

The 9.6-kilometre version without the chain ferry is different: it can no longer be walked as shown because one path is inaccessible. So do not rely on the route as shown, and check path conditions before setting out. This restriction applies to the version without the ferry; the figures of 8 kilometres and about 2 hours and 20 minutes apply to the ferry version.

Saint-Pavace’s walking routes include circuits for walking, cycling and horse riding. Another named route is the red-marked “Circuit des moulins”: it is 29 kilometres long and runs between Neuville-sur-Sarthe and Saint-Pavace. The routes described therefore differ in their layout and key details: the Sarthe version with the chain ferry is a circular route with a stated duration, while the Circuit des moulins is a route between two places.

Historic buildings and reasons to visit

Château de Chêne-de-Cœur was listed as a Monument historique in 2016. The privately owned château is open to visitors during the European Heritage Days. Plan any visit around the event dates and check the specific date before making arrangements.

La Cour is a former seigneurie; its building contains architectural elements dating from the 15th or 16th century. This gives it a different historical connection from the château: here, it is architectural elements from one of two possible centuries, while there, it is the 2016 listing as a Monument historique.

The present-day parish church of Saint-Pavace is also one of the sights along the “Circuit au bord de la Sarthe” and features very old masonry. The Promenade du souvenir is also a point of interest along this route. Those interested in historic building fabric can thus visit two distinct named stops on the Circuit: the church, with its old masonry, and the promenade.

Discover more destinations: La Milesse, Chaufour-Notre-Dame, Chemiré-en-Charnie, Écommoy, Congé-Sur-Orne, Aigné, Savigné-Sous-Le-Lude, Louplande.

For the broader travel overview: Sarthe.