The “Entre bocage et chêne Boppe” circular trail starts in Saint-Pierre-du-Lorouër and passes through the Forêt de Bercé. At the same time, the Romanesque church, manor houses and the Veuve tell different chapters of the village’s history. Here, a specific hiking trail meets historical traces from different periods.

Hiking through the Forêt de Bercé

The circular trail passes through the Forêt de Bercé, which has been awarded the Forêt d’Exception® label. It also leads to the site of the remarkable Chêne Boppe, where tables are available. The tree itself is a reminder of the past: it was planted in 1647 and died in December 1934. The trail’s name thus connects the forest with the former tree and its site.

Another indication of the landscape’s history is the themed area “Fermes et hameaux de Saint-Pierre-du-Lorouër.” On the edge of the Forêt de Bercé, it points to a number of houses dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. Alongside the circular trail, this theme offers a glimpse of the homes that belong to those centuries.

Church and manor houses

The Romanesque nave of the Église paroissiale Saint-Pierre de Saint-Pierre-du-Lorouër dates from the 11th to 12th centuries. The Église Saint-Pierre also contains two medieval murals. One, dating from the 12th to 13th century, depicts a lord and lady in a sarcophagus. Another, from the 13th century, shows the burial of Renaud and symbolizes prayers for the dead. Their subjects and dates offer two different glimpses into the church’s religious imagery.

The manor houses, too, reflect different historical periods. Les Clos is one of five manor houses in Saint-Pierre-du-Lorouër rebuilt between the 14th century and the beginning of the 17th century. The façades and roofs of Manoir dit Le Follet were listed as a historic monument by decree of September 20, 1928. La Cour, in turn, was mentioned in 1280 as a fief and rural seigneury. These examples span the Middle Ages to a clearly dated heritage-protection decree.

The Veuve and its history

The Veuve flows through Saint-Pierre-du-Lorouër and is a tributary of the Loir. Moulin de la Cour, a seigneurial grain mill, stood on this river. It existed in the 19th century and remained in operation until the First World War. The river and the mill therefore belong to a different part of the village’s history from the church paintings and manor houses: here, the focus is on water and its former use.

On the outskirts of the village, the public washhouse La Fontaine has been preserved and was recently given a roof. Together with the mill, it adds another place associated with the Veuve. The village’s history can thus be explored through various details: along the trail and in the forest, in medieval imagery and architectural forms, and through the former use of water.

When planning your trip, it helps to distinguish between the different highlights: the circular trail focuses on the forest and the former Chêne Boppe; the church, manor houses, mill and washhouse tell other aspects of the village’s history.

Discover more destinations: Moncé-en-Belin, La Bruere Sur Loir, Saint-Pierre-Des-Bois, Nuillé-Le-Jalais, Dissay-Sous-Courcillon, Saint-Christophe-Du-Jambet, Le Mans, Saint-Mars-D'outillé.

For the broader travel overview: Sarthe.