In La Saucelle, themed walking trails offer a range of different experiences: they lead to places bearing traces of the Knights Templar, take in the landscape along the edge of the forest, or explore features connected with water. The town also has the Église Sainte-Anne, with its history of construction, and a festival held every summer that includes astronomical observation.
Walking trails with distinct themes
The Circuit des Templiers is a walking trail to places in La Saucelle where traces of the Knights Templar have been preserved. The trail combines outdoor activity with a specific historical theme: the focus is on the places where these traces have been preserved. Those interested in the history of the Knights Templar will find this a different way to discover the area than on a walk focused on the landscape or water.
The Circuit de la Résistance recalls wartime activities, hiding places, parachute drops and nighttime supply operations in the area around La Saucelle. These themes give the trail its historical focus. By contrast, the Circuit des Templiers draws attention to surviving traces of the Knights Templar. Both are walking trails, but their points of historical interest differ considerably.
The Circuit Bois & Forêt focuses on La Saucelle’s position along the edge of the forest, between the forests of the Perche and a largely agricultural plateau. The trail invites visitors to experience the landscape at a walking pace and practise forest bathing. Here, the theme is the transitional landscape itself, rather than a single building or historical episode. This makes the circuit a distinct way to experience the rural character of the area.
The Circuit de l'eau takes a different approach. The trail passes ponds and pools, a network of ditches leading to the rivers, a traditional Mariette and hand pumps. These water features and structures give the walk its unifying theme.
The cycling loop Sur les traces des Templiers – Boucle n°12also passes through La Saucelle. It is marked with green-and-white signs and a green marker bearing the number 12. If route conditions change, check the signs on site.
The church and the history of the landscape
The Église Sainte-Anne brings together construction phases from different centuries. Its Romanesque section was begun between the 11th and 12th centuries; the north aisle was added to the nave in the 16th century. This chronology provides a concrete reference point for understanding the church’s architecture. Alongside its history of construction, the church is also notable for its exceptional acoustics: cultural events and concerts featuring local and national ensembles may be held there. Individual programmes may vary.
Another trace of the area’s history is the drainage network built along the edge of the forest to drain cleared land. This network still exists today. Its origins are linked to the use of the land at the forest’s edge; it is not connected to the history of the Knights Templar.
Summer event and practical information
Held every summer, La Saucelle’s Fête des étoiles combines a themed walk with astronomical observation in the evening. The festival thus brings together two different activities: walking and observing the sky. Exact dates may vary; check the dates for your travel period before planning your stay around the event.
La Saucelle is about 20 minutes from the train stations at Dreux, Verneuil-sur-Avre and La Loupe. All three stations can be reached from Paris-Montparnasse. This time is an estimate and may vary depending on the route. Regular Rémi bus services also serve La Saucelle. Rémi+ is an on-demand shuttle that picks passengers up from and returns them to their home. Since transport services and coverage areas may change, check which services are available for your journey in advance.
The walking trails, the church’s history of construction and the summer festival offer different reasons to choose La Saucelle as a destination. When planning your trip, it is helpful to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay; if visiting for the Fête des étoiles, check the exact dates.
Discover more destinations: Le Mesnil-Simon, Rueil-La-Gadelière, Lanneray, Voves, Maintenon, Baudreville, Montigny-sur-Avre, Happonvilliers.
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