In Champsecret, landscapes, architectural history and craft traditions sit alongside walking trails of varying lengths. This offers several ways to shape your stay: around the bocage and water, historic architecture, local specialities or walking.
Bocage, Forest and Water
Champsecret is characterised by bocage countryside, extensive forests, hills and valleys. Sunken lanes, hedgerows and villages are also part of this landscape. The Marais de la Prise-Pontin is a wetland in Champsecret, in the Andaines Forest. La Varenne is one of the main waterways that runs through the area.
Architectural History and Heritage
The Chapelle du Cerisier was built in 1871 and restored in 1999. This small granite building has round-arched windows and a barrel vault lined with boards. Its architecture can be distinguished by its materials and forms: the round arch describes the shape of the windows, while the barrel vault is a form of vaulted ceiling. “Lined with boards” refers to the wooden boarding on the vault.
The Forge de Varenne offers a different perspective: it is the only surviving forge in the west of the Orne department and is listed as a historic monument. The remains of three iron-production workshops have been preserved there. Alongside the chapel’s religious architecture, it tells the story of ironworking.
The Église Notre-Dame de l’Assomption was built in 1682 in the middle of the former cemetery. It is therefore older than the Chapelle du Cerisier, dating from 1871; the two buildings represent different periods of religious architecture in Champsecret.
Crafts and Specialities
Coarse fabrics known as “Toiles de Champsecret” were made from hemp in Champsecret. At times, the women of Champsecret also made lace, first referred to as Point de France and later as Point d’Alençon. These textile traditions differ in both material and their recorded names: on one hand are the coarse hemp fabrics, and on the other, the lace’s names, which changed over time.
Camembert Champ Secret adds a culinary dimension: it is artisan-made, produced on the farm, and is both AOP and organic Camembert.
Walking and Planning Your Time
Walking routes vary considerably in length and time required. The Circuit des Moulins circular walk in Champsecret is 5 km long and takes 1 hour 30 minutes to walk. Check the latest route information before setting out, as details may change.
The historic Chemin du Paradis pilgrimage route leads from Champsecret in the direction of Mont-Saint-Michel. It is 100 km long and takes four days to walk. The routes therefore differ in more than just length: one is a circular walk with a stated walking time, while the other is a historic pilgrimage route heading towards Mont-Saint-Michel, with a time frame of four days.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Siméon, Ceaucé, Mieuxcé, Ménil-Hermei, Vieux-Pont, Mahéru, La Chapelle-D'andaine, La Ferrière-Bochard
For the broader travel overview: Orne.
