In Malétable, church art and a manageable hike meet a very different natural feature: the peat layer of the Tourbière de la Commeauche, which has built up over centuries. When planning your trip, it makes a difference whether you arrange a guided tour in advance or choose a hike that takes about two hours. Vegetable growing and regional markets also offer insights into other aspects of a stay here.

Church architecture, tower and guided tours

The Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette was built between 1865 and 1872. Construction was made possible by the Abbé’s funds, the support of donors and the help of Malétable residents. The work therefore spanned several years; the church is a notable stop for anyone interested in architecture and local history.

The tower is particularly richly detailed: brick arabesques adorn it, and four corner turrets support two large cast-iron angel statues and one made of terracotta. The figures stand beneath copper canopies. At the top, a glazed structure houses a sculptural group of the Virgin and two children. The design thus ranges from brick ornamentation to the different materials used for the sculptures.

Founded in 2008, the Association de sauvegarde du patrimoine Rêv’neuve La Salette offers guided tours of the church each year. It also organizes exhibitions, concerts and art competitions, including competitions for children. Tours of the church and its restored tower take place on set dates and by prior arrangement only; at other times of the year, they are available under the same conditions. Arrange a time before your visit.

Wetland and hike

The Tourbière de la Commeauche is notable for the wetland’s long formation process: the peat layer is three or four metres thick in places and has formed over several centuries. Marsh helleborines and numerous dragonflies are found in the wetland environment. This offers a focus on nature that is quite distinct from the architecture and cultural activities.

La Fonte is a very easy 7.9-kilometre hike that takes about two hours. It starts and ends in Malétable. The route leads to the Moulin de Sévoux and a restored former washhouse with two picnic tables. The approximate duration gives you a useful guide to how long the hike will take. Local conditions can change, so check them before setting out. Picnic facilities may also change.

For planning your day, these are two different kinds of visit: for the church, arranging a guided tour in advance is essential; for La Fonte, the route length and approximate walking time are useful points of reference. These places are not presented here as a combined circuit, so plan for the conditions of each visit separately.

Vegetable growing and seasonal markets

At the Moulin des Sablons, visitors can discover how vegetables are grown. The farm grows various types of vegetables without pesticides or fungicides. It sells its produce to consumers and regional shops, and regularly has a stall at Sunday markets in the area. Sweet summer strawberries are also available there. Market participation may vary by season. If you would like to visit the farm, check visit arrangements before you arrive.

When choosing a hotel in Malétable, your planned activities can be a useful starting point: a church tour requires an appointment in advance, while La Fonte, with an approximate hiking time of two hours, calls for a different time allowance.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Essay, Nonant-Le-Pin, Carrouges, Gacé, Le Sap, Goulet, Sées, Mieuxcé.

For the regional travel overview: Orne.