Chenillé-Changé lies on the banks of the Mayenne and offers several ways to discover its architectural and religious heritage, from Château des Rues to the Notre Dame du Sacré Cœur monument on a hilltop. There are also walking trails, a water-powered mill, visits with an agricultural focus and cruises. When planning your stay, you can choose different themes: architecture and history, routes through the commune, or insights into milling and river navigation.

Heritage and religious history

At Château des Rues, the façades and roofs were entered in the register of historic monuments by decree dated 15 March 1978. You can visit the château’s kitchen garden, which includes a fountain and pools. The protected architectural heritage and the garden thus offer distinct aspects to explore.

The statue of Notre Dame du Sacré Cœur stands on a hilltop and was erected after the war of 1870 against the Prussian army. It was commissioned in fulfilment of a vow made by the Vicomte and Vicomtesse Camille de Rougé. The monument thus links the history of the conflict with a personal religious vow.

Insights into farming and milling

Domaine des Rues is a typical model farm from the 19th century. It offers self-guided visits for individuals lasting 30 minutes. During your visit, you can learn about the Rouge des Prés cattle breed and taste its beef. The site thus combines a glimpse of rural heritage with a close look at a cattle breed and its products.

Moulin Bouin still operates solely on the power of its waterwheel. Visitors can discover how wheat is turned into flour. The mill offers a look at both the power source and a specific stage of processing.

Riverside routes and cruises

The commune’s walking trails combine the discovery of its architectural heritage with a beautiful setting. From the towpath along the Mayenne, you can see Chenillé-Changé from the opposite bank. This offers a different perspective from exploring the architectural heritage on foot.

L’Hirondelle offers guided cruises year-round on the Mayenne, the Oudon, the Maine and the Loire, as well as day and dining cruises. Guided trips are available with or without a demonstration of horse-towing. When choosing, you can therefore consider the format of the trip: the commentary, whether a towing demonstration is included, and the available day-trip or dining options.

An August event

A specific date to plan your trip around is the evening of 15 August: a torchlight procession is still held at the Notre Dame du Sacré Cœur monument to celebrate the Assumption of Mary. If this religious event is a deciding factor for your trip, plan for that particular evening. This lets you time your visit to coincide with a specific event.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Saint-Crespin-Sur-Moine, Chigné, Montreuil-Bellay, Soucelles, Vernoil-le-Fourrier, Montreuil-sur-Maine, Durtal, Chaintré.

For the broader travel guide: Maine-Et-Loire.