Get to know Longué-Jumelles through its distinctive cultural and water-related features: the church of Notre-Dame de la Légion d’honneur, consecrated in 1860; the tradition of boule de fort; the Moulin Hydronef on the Lathan; and a promenade past private washhouses. Each attraction has a different focus. The Espace Information et Patrimoine explores the history of the game; at the mill, the focus is on technology, milling and renewable energy. The promenade and the cultural and historical trail each connect the river and the town in a different way. When planning your stay, you can therefore choose between cultural history, mill technology and waterscapes according to your interests, rather than treating all the themes as a single experience.
Church and boule de fort
The church of Notre-Dame de la Légion d’honneur in Longué-Jumelles was consecrated on 3 July 1860. At the Espace Information et Patrimoine, visitors can see historical objects related to boule de fort and a video about the traditional game. They can also discover a reconstructed boule de fort court with a clay floor. The objects, film and replica playing area offer different ways to explore this subject, without limiting it to a single interpretation.
The Association “Boule d’Anjou” also focuses on the game, organising boule de fort themed days throughout the year. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the specific dates in advance.
Moulin Hydronef: mill technology on the Lathan
The fully restored Moulin Hydronef is a watermill on the banks of the Lathan in Longué-Jumelles. Its immersive educational tour explains how hydraulic mechanisms work, the history of milling and the importance of renewable energy. Unlike the boule de fort exhibition, the focus here is on technical processes, mill history and energy. Access is seasonal, so check before planning your visit.
Washhouses, the river and a glimpse of the 1880s
The Promenade des Lavoirs in Parc du Pré aux Grilles runs alongside the Lathan and passes numerous private washhouses. The route connects the course of the river with views of these buildings, though the washhouses should not be understood as public indoor spaces. Those interested in the town’s history can explore another perspective on the cultural and historical trail “De pierre et d’eau”: it leads through Longué-Jumelles to its church, washhouses and river, transporting visitors back to the 1880s.
The two routes have different emphases: the promenade follows a specific route along the Lathan, while “De pierre et d’eau” places the church, washhouses and river in a historical time frame. This lets you choose between a walk along the river and a trail that evokes the 1880s.
Water activities at the Centre aquatique
The Centre aquatique Philippe Rivain de Longué-Jumelles offers a different kind of water experience. It opened to the public in December 2022 and has a 25-metre swimming pool, a learning and health pool, a paddling pool, a slide with a black-hole effect and a seasonal splash pad. If you include these facilities in your plans, check current access, operating conditions and facility status before your visit. The splash pad is seasonal.
Discover more destinations: Montrevault, Chemellier, Les Rairies, Feneu, Grézillé, La Bohalle, Brain-Sur-Allonnes, Les Verchers-Sur-Layon.
For the broader travel guide: Maine-Et-Loire.
