Coudray offers three distinct ways to explore: the Circuit des Coudriers hiking route, the BĂ©dennerie nature and recreation area, and historic buildings. These attractions appeal to different interests; the hike is the one with a clearly defined duration for planning purposes. Tailor your accommodation search to whether you want to focus on exercise, nature watching, or local history.
Hiking the Circuit des Coudriers
The Circuit des Coudriers is an easy circular walking route. The trail is 11.26 kilometres long and takes about three hours and 30 minutes. Allow roughly this much time for the circuit when planning your hiking day. This way, you can treat the hike as a dedicated block of time rather than equating it with a short detour.
The route passes near the Bavouze lock on the Mayenne River. A detour of about 150 metres leads to the riverbanks. This gives you two different options: the longer circular hike and a short addition by the water. If you would like to include the riverbanks, you can plan for the detour separately.
Nature at BĂ©dennerie
The BĂ©dennerie grounds are open to visitors and offer the chance to discover and observe the local nature. Features of the nature and recreation area include a hibernaculum, a path with stepping stones, hedgerows, and dry brushwood hedges. There are also games and fruit tree plantings. The combination of paths, hedges, plantings, and other features makes the site interesting for visitors who want to combine nature watching with a walk around the grounds.
The species counts provide a specific point of reference: according to observations made after the improvements, nine species were recorded in Coudray, seven of which are currently found in the Bédennerie wetland. The figures refer to two different areas—the commune and the wetland—and therefore do not describe the same area.
The Château and local history
The Château de Luigné dates from the 16th to the 19th century. Its simple building sections are arranged at right angles, and the central block stands on older foundations. The château is visible from the road, so a visit focuses on the exterior rather than an interior tour. A feudal motte can still be seen beside the former moats. Here, you can observe both the layout of the building and traces of its earlier fortifications.
Smaller details are also part of the area’s history: the cast-iron signposts installed in Coudray around 1850 have been restored in the official colours. In the Church of Saint-Julien-le-Martyr, a plaque commemorates Louise Olympe and her daughter Louise Déan de Luigné, who were beatified in 1984. The commune reported on March 5, 2026, that the church had been closed since a lightning strike on September 2, 2022; renovation work began at the end of January 2026. Before visiting the interior, check whether it has since reopened.
A culinary stop
The Aux DĂ©lices du Coudray bakery opened in September 2023. In its first few weeks, it served crusty bread and generous viennoiseries. If you plan to visit the bakery during your stay, check whether it is currently open before making a detour.
Discover more destinations: Erbrée, Villepail, Loigné-Sur-Mayenne, Torcé-Viviers-En-Charnie, Hercé, Levaré, Gorron, Saint-Pierre-Des-Nids.
For the broader travel overview: Mayenne.
