An elongated granite lion at the calvary, a church with a medieval building history, and recurring festivals give Saint-Maurice-des-Lions several distinct reasons to visit. Other attractions include the Sentier des Tuileries, which is open year-round, and fishing at Étang du Chambon. If you are looking for accommodation in the town, you can plan your stay around culture, an event date or time outdoors. The contrast between its historical periods is particularly interesting: the church combines building history with fortification, while the lion and calvary tell a different local story.
Church and stone monuments
The Église Saint-Maurice dates from the late 12th century. Since 24 April 1909, the entire church has been classified as a historic monument. During the Hundred Years’ War, the church was fortified, including by raising the walls of the nave and the choir end. The nave is the central longitudinal space; the choir end is the end of the choir. The classification records its protected status since 1909, while the fortification was a structural alteration made during the war. These details bring together two distinct aspects: the building’s historical development and its status as a monument.
On Place du Terrier, also called Place du Lion, an elongated granite lion stands at the foot of a stone calvary. The cross is made from the same granite. The calvary and cross mark the site of the former cemetery; the lion is dated to the early Middle Ages. The site thus brings together the stone itself, the history of the cemetery and an early historical date. Compared with the church, it offers a different way into the past: the lion is dated to a considerably earlier period than the building from the late 12th century.
Festivals through the year
Saint Maurice en FĂŞte takes place every year on the second Saturday in June as a festive event on the grounds of the Moulin de La Cour. If you want to time your trip around this event, check the dates for the edition you plan to attend in advance. The Automnales are another seasonal highlight: they took place in Saint-Maurice-des-Lions on 26 October 2025 and are held annually. The 2025 Automnales featured chestnuts, crĂŞpes and apple juice. Together, the recurring June date and a specific autumn date in 2025 offer options for different times of year.
Walking trail and fishing
The Sentier des Tuileries starts on Rue de la Libération and is open year-round. If you want to add a walking activity to your stay, you can include the trail as a standalone item in your itinerary. A standard fishing permit is required to fish at Étang du Chambon. As the arrangements for obtaining one may change, it is best to check before fishing. The two activities require different planning: the trail is open year-round, while fishing requires a permit as part of your preparations.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Germain-de-Montbron, Segonzac, Le Grand-Madieu, Le Tâtre, Gourville, Maine-de-Boixe, Chassors, Nonac
For the wider travel guide: Charente.
