Discover Chauvigné through the architectural history of Notre-Dame Church and trails through the granite and bocage landscape. The church is notable for its different building phases and grave slabs; the routes also lead to landmarks of local heritage. For a specific route plan, the Circuit de Saint-Georges lists its distance, difficulty rating and duration. The Circuit des Rochers is one of the municipality’s two marked circular routes and passes through the granite countryside of Chauvigné.

Notre-Dame and the History of the Village

Notre-Dame Church has been mentioned since the 11th century. Romanesque remains have been preserved in the nave and apse. The building was altered in the 15th and 16th centuries, and again in 1654. Its Latin-cross floor plan, single nave and granite masonry offer different ways to appreciate its architecture: its overall form, interior layout and building material.

The church furnishings include a collection of 16 grave slabs. Some came from Saint-Georges Chapel, which was demolished in the early 19th century. The former Saint-Georges cemetery is also located in the village: a cross standing there marks its site.

The village’s history is also reflected in its former use of water and stone. A tributary of the Couesnon, the Minette powered mills between La Sourde and Boismine for centuries, where wheat flour, buckwheat flour and paper were produced. In the 1920s, there were blue granite quarries near Fretay, including at the Rochers des Renaisières site. The buildings in the village of Fretay are worth seeing, particularly a house with a turret.

Circular Trails Through Granite and Bocage

The Circuit des Rochers passes through the granite countryside of Chauvigné. Here, granite can be seen not only in traditional buildings but also in the meadows. The Circuit de Saint-Georges offers a different focus: views of a preserved bocage landscape and a route along sunken lanes where built heritage can be seen. Together, the trails highlight both the landscape and the traces of how it has been used.

The Circuit de Saint-Georges is an easy walking route measuring 8.1 km; the stated duration is 2 hours and 40 minutes. The starting point is Place de l'église in Chauvigné. Along the way, the route passes the privately owned 19th-century Château de la Maison Neuve, which can be viewed from the trail. Check the latest route details before setting out.

From Boismine, the Circuit de Saint-Georges overlooks a valley through which the Minette and Ritort rivers flow. In La Moisondaie, it passes a historic local-heritage bakehouse, a fournil. Near La Gennerie, there is a group comprising a fountain and a well. The well is of the « à guérite » type; next to it is a natural cistern that was formerly used as a watering trough for livestock. These stops complement the landscape views with specific glimpses of the built heritage along the route.

Discover more destinations: Beaucé, Saint-Marcan, Pleine-Fougères, Vendel, Janzé, Lécousse, La Guerche-de-Bretagne, Tremblay.

For an overview of the wider travel area: Ille-Et-Vilaine.