Yzernay combines a tangible local history with several routes that vary in length and type. For planning a stay, it is therefore helpful to make a simple distinction: chapels and memorial sites provide the historical focus, while the marked routes offer concrete options for walks and cycling tours. This makes it possible to decide in advance whether local history or a particular route length should shape the day’s plans.
Memorial Sites and Local History
The Cimetière des Martyrs was established after the massacre in the forest on 24 March 1794 and is considered an important memorial site. The Chapelle Saint-René, also called the Chapelle du Cimetière des Martyrs, is located in the cemetery. The Chapelle des Martyrs commemorates the Vendéens who were killed by the “colonnes infernales”. These memorial sites give a visit a tangible connection to the history of Yzernay.
The history of the local church is also marked by two dates: on 28 January 1794, the town centre burned down, and part of the church was destroyed. A new bell tower for the church was built in 1814. These dates thus mark two separate milestones in the local church’s history.
A memorial on the Square de la Mairie commemorates the Fontaine de Bodin. The former spring was essential to the water supply for the town centre and was destroyed in 1967; the town hall had the memorial erected. The square thus also recalls the Fontaine’s former role in everyday life in the town centre.
Chapels and Historic Buildings
The Chapelle de la Musse was built in the second half of the 19th century. It stands at the entrance to Yzernay from the direction of Toutlemonde. It was restored by an association of history-minded retirees who were also interested in traditional stonework. When walking in Yzernay, you can follow the Circuit du Patrimoine and visit the chapel.
The Chapelle de Grand Champ was built and dedicated to Notre-Dame de La Salette. Léon Bouchet restored it in 1991. The Chapelle de la Musse and the Chapelle de Grand Champ therefore offer different historical points of interest: for the former, the association’s restoration work and its location at the entrance to the town are recorded; for the latter, its dedication and restoration by Léon Bouchet.
La Petite Saulaie is a former noble residence that is still surrounded by moats and two towers. It belonged to the lords of Daillon in the 15th and 16th centuries. The property is private; its history and surviving features can therefore be distinguished from the explicitly described opportunities to visit the Chapelle de la Musse.
Circular Routes and Excursions in the Surrounding Area
The Sentier de la Pinière is an 8 km circular walking route marked in blue; walking time is about two hours. For a shorter circular route, the Étang de Péronne offers a useful comparison: it is in the vicinity of Yzernay, 2 km away via the D196, and has a 2.4 km circular route for walking. Based on the stated distances, the Pinière route is the longer of the two options; an approximate walking time is also provided for it.
A cycling tour in the surrounding area follows the D196 to the Vezins-Nuaillé-Chanteloup forest massif. The forest massif covers more than 3,000 hectares and extends across five communes. If you plan this cycling tour, check route conditions before setting off. This makes the cycling route a separate option alongside the local circular routes.
The Sentier du Bocage intercommunal passes through Yzernay and connects, among other places, Coron, La Plaine, Somloire, Les Cerqueux and Maulévrier. It therefore offers a different geographical orientation from a circular route with a stated walking time or distance. For planning a specific day, you can choose from walks and circular routes as well as a route connecting several places.
Discover more destinations: Varrains, Saint-Lambert-Du-Lattay, Broc, Chazé-sur-Argos, Cizay-La-Madeleine, Le Louroux-Béconnais, Juigné-Sur-Loire, Le Mesnil-En-Vallée.
Go to the overview of destinations: Maine-Et-Loire.
