Towns and villages of character 

Small towns of character

Travel back into the Middle Ages. Wander through their winding streets in the shadow of the robust stonework which once saw armoured knights ride past. Their charm will bewitch you. Here, time stands still.

Sainte-Suzanne, the rebel

This little jewel of Mediaeval heritage nestles in a romantic and verdant setting. Imagine an ancient fortress built on a rocky outcrop with a river at its foot. Above stands a spectacular castle with panoramic views of the Coëvron hills and the forest of La Charnie. Behind the 14th and 15th century ramparts, you can visit the Maison de l’Auditoire, converted into a museum of local history.

Saulges

Listed as a small Town of Character, Saulges owes its reputation to its setting and its unique heritage. It has two churches, the most remarkable being Saint-Pierre, built on a Merovingian cemetery and which contains some 15th century wall-paintings. The nearby Moulin de Thévalles impresses young and old with its extraordinary mechanism, unique in western France.

Highways and byways

Follow the quiet roads to discover the churches and chapels hidden in the landscape. You'll be surprised by what you find…

The real Mayenne is just around the corner. The hamlets of Montaigu, Hambers and the river at Sainte-Suzanne offer examples of typical Mayenne architecture: stone houses from the 15th and 16th centuries with their ancient roof tiles, typical doors and gateways with their symbolic ornamentation; old mills which made flour, fuller's earth and paper…

Admire the remarkable architecture and décor of the churches and chapels and discover fine examples of the preserved and restored rural built heritage.