Montenay brings together a range of discoveries: a pond, routes through the countryside and traces of several historical periods. When choosing what to see, it is worth distinguishing between experiences of nature and cultural heritage. Both can be explored locally by theme, without treating the individual sights as if they were the same.
Landscape and routes in Montenay
The pond at Montenay is intended for fishing and walking. Route 9 L’Oscence offers a different perspective on the landscape: it descends into the Ernée Valley, where there are slate outcrops and shady valley flora. The route includes the path from Aunay and a small road towards Château de la Bas-Maignée. So at the pond, two explicitly mentioned activities take centre stage, while the route is characterised above all by its valley and landscape features.
The Ernée Valley between Monthéreux and Gué Guerin is associated with a former mill. This historical connection relates to a particular stretch of the valley and is distinct from the slate outcrops and flora along the route. Pierre Montpinçon offers another landscape: a hill formed by large blocks of rock, situated on a fir-covered rise overlooking the Perche Valley in the Mayenne Forest. Together, these places offer different perspectives on Montenay’s landscape—from the water to the shady valley and the rocky terrain.
Neolithic heritage and local history
The polishing stone La Pierre Saint-Guillaume reaches far back into history: during the Neolithic period, it was shaped from outcrops of Armorican sandstone in the Mayenne Forest. It was classified as a historic monument on 31 December 1889. These details mark two different points in time: the polishing stone’s Neolithic origins and its later classification. To help you find it, it lies south of the hamlet of La Berthelière, which is east of the commune of Montenay. The polishing stone is on a communal path. You can discover it on Route 9 L’Oscence, at the hamlet of La Berthelière.
Montenay’s church also has a clearly defined building history: it was built from 1875 to 1879 and consecrated in 1880. The Maison du Chapître points to a different period. It is a surviving part of a former Augustinian monastery dating from the 16th century. Its architectural details include a door with moulded surrounds and decorated window surrounds. Here, you can focus on specific architectural features, while the polishing stone stands out above all for its much earlier origins.
Cultural activities and your stay
Culture in Montenay is not limited to historic buildings. Café-Concert Le Décibel offers a programme featuring local talent and international groups. If you would like to include a particular concert in your plans, check in advance what is currently scheduled. This way, your plans remain based on the actual event information.
The Médiathèque L’Oscence in Montenay is part of the reading network of the Communauté de communes de l’Ernée. Through this network, books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and video-on-demand services are available free of charge. These media offerings add another cultural dimension to the town’s historic and landscape-related attractions. When choosing accommodation, you can consider which of these interests will shape your stay: the landscape with its pond and valley, the archaeological and architectural heritage, or the cultural programme.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Calais-du-Désert, Bazougers, Couesmes-Vaucé, Aron, Beaulieu-Sur-Oudon, Saint-Loup-Du-Dorat, Saint-Georges-Buttavent, Andouillé.
For the broader travel overview: Mayenne.
