Soucelles combines protected history with trails along the Loir and through the bocage landscape. The Dolmen de la Pierre Cesée, the washhouse and the Saint Armel spring are tangible reminders of local history; two different trails offer distinct experiences: an 8.7-kilometre circular route and a family walk through bocage and meadow. There is also access to a forest via the D 313 and a chain ferry between Soucelles and Villevêque.

Dolmen and local traditions

The Dolmen de la Pierre Cesée was a burial chamber surrounded by a tumulus—a mound of earth. It has been classified as a Monument historique by decree since 8 July 1910. The Dolmen de la Pierre Cesée also welcomes visitors in 2026. The burial chamber and mound make its construction easy to understand; its classification as a Monument historique also gives the dolmen protected status. Check the latest visiting information before your visit.

The Lavoir de Soucelles dates from 1874. The Saint Armel spring lies near the washhouse and is considered miraculous; it is said to cure blindness and gout. This healing claim should be understood as local tradition, not as a medical statement. These two neighbouring sites thus bring together a washhouse with a specific construction date and a spring associated with a long-standing local story.

The Chapel of Roche-Foulques in Soucelles houses a statue of Saint Julien. It provides another tangible link to local cultural history.

Trails, forest and the Loir

The Tour des rives du Loir is an 8.7 km circular route. One possible starting point is the car park on Rue Maurice Picard in Soucelles. If you want to join the route there, check the practical trail conditions before setting off; they may change. The circular format and stated distance provide clear guidance for planning this route.

The Sentier du dolmen de Soucelles is a family walk through bocage landscapes and the meadow known as “la Grande rivière.” The routes have different strengths: the Tour des rives du Loir is defined by its 8.7 km distance and circular format, while the Sentier du dolmen stands out for its bocage landscapes, meadow and family-friendly character. When choosing between the routes, you can decide whether distance or the landscapes and family walk are more important to you. Here too, it is worth checking the latest trail conditions in advance.

The Forêt de Soucelles can be reached from the town centre via the D 313 towards Montreuil-sur-Loir, after about 5 km. For directions, you can use the stated starting point, direction and approximate distance together. This makes it easy to include the forest as a separate nature destination in your stay.

The Bac à chaînes de la Roche Foulques chain ferry connects the two banks of the Loir between Soucelles and Villevêque. If crossing the river is part of your plans, check the timetable in advance, as operating periods may change.

Discover more destinations: Le Vieil-Baugé, Tillières, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Brissarthe, Saint-Martin-De-La-Place, Le Coudray-Macouard, Courléon, Méon.

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