Passais reveals its history through a range of sites: Stone Age monuments, the Chapelles Notre-Dame de l'Oratoire, which were built in stages, and a 17th-century manor house. The menhir and dolmen foreground prehistoric forms; the chapels, their building history and fresco; and the manor house, its façades and architectural details. This offers several ways to enjoy a culture-focused stay—from dating a stone monument to viewing a fresco or the arrangement of a façade.
Menhir and Dolmen: Two Megalithic Forms
The Menhir du Perron is in Passais, formerly the commune of Passais-la-Conception, and dates from the Neolithic period. It has been classified as a historic monument since 15 June 1926. The covered alley “La Table au Diable” is a dolmen in the form of a gallery grave made up of five stone capstones. The dolmen is dated to between 3200 and 2200 BC. The two forms are clearly distinct: the menhir is a prehistoric stone monument, while the gallery grave is a covered burial structure. The dating is also expressed differently: the menhir is associated with the Neolithic period, while a specific date range is given for the dolmen.
Building History and a Fresco in the Oratory Chapels
The Chapelles Notre-Dame de l'Oratoire were built in stages. The first two chapels were built in 1852 and 1857; a third was built between 1924 and 1927. This sequence makes the building history easy to follow: the chapels were constructed in two phases several decades apart. The chapels house André Jouault’s fresco “La procession des âges.” It depicts the history of Passais from the first hermits of the Middle Ages to the modern era. The fresco thus spans a long period of history, while the chapels’ construction history provides specific dates from the 19th and 20th centuries.
A Connection with Nature at the Chapelle de l'Oratoire
The roof spaces of the Chapelle de l'Oratoire de Passais lie within Natura 2000 site FR2502011, a Special Area of Conservation. They are home to a breeding colony of greater mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis), numbering around a hundred females.
The Exterior Architecture of the Manoir de la Guérinière
The Manoir de la Guérinière dates from the first half of the 17th century and is located in the Norman bocage countryside. Guided tours of the north and south façades are available. The south façade features bartizans; a granite lintel can be seen in the courtyard of honour. Other features include a moulded cornice with brackets and pavilions in the Louis XV style. The tour combines a look at individual architectural features with the façade design and the named stylistic elements. As seasonal visiting arrangements may change, check the current options for a tour in advance.
Visiting Hours and Access
The Chapelles Notre-Dame de l'Oratoire are open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with free admission. The covered alley “La Table au Diable” is also freely accessible; there is an information panel on site. Opening times and access details may change, so it is advisable to check shortly before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Condeau, L'aigle, Sainte-Marguerite-de-Carrouges, Courgeon, Canapville, Boëcé, Saint-Aubin-Des-Grois, Longny-au-Perche
Return to the main travel overview: Orne.
