Courcelles-la-Forêt is a village whose centre lies at the edge of the forest; bocage landscape and woodland shape the commune. The landscape and architectural history offer two distinct points of interest when choosing where to visit: the area figures describe the setting of the village, while Église Saint-Jean and Lavoir du Perray mark specific chapters in local history. Château de Vadré also offers a glimpse of garden design, but it is privately owned and cannot be visited.

Forest and bocage

Of the commune’s 1,900 hectares, 900 hectares are forested—just under half. This figure refers to the entire commune; the location at the edge of the forest, by contrast, describes the village centre. Bocage refers to a cultivated landscape divided by hedgerows and groves, adding a different landscape aspect to the forest. When choosing where to visit, you can distinguish between these details: the proportion of forest indicates the scale of the commune, while the bocage and the village’s position at the forest’s edge shape its described landscape character. The area figures may change with future official updates.

Église Saint-Jean: architecture, painting and tomb

Église Saint-Jean was built in the 12th century in the Romanesque style and has a square tower. The church houses a 17th-century painting depicting Christ carrying his cross and Saint Veronica. A 16th-century tomb attached to the church is the reason it is listed in the heritage inventory. The architecture, tomb and painting come together in a story spanning several centuries. Visitors interested in architecture and sacred art will find different points of interest in the tower, tomb and painting.

Lavoir du Perray on the Ribourg

Local history and preservation are at the heart of Lavoir du Perray. The washhouse was donated to the commune of Courcelles-la-Forêt in 1852 and is located beside the Ribourg stream. These are two distinct aspects: the donation to the commune and its location by the watercourse. The lavoir was restored in 2022, preserving features of the former washhouse through the use of brick and slate. The dates 1852 and 2022 mark different chapters: the donation and the restoration, respectively. Brick and slate offer a tangible indication of how the earlier features were preserved. The lavoir’s local history is thus shaped by its transfer, riverside location and restoration.

Gardens and access at Château de Vadré

The gardens and park of Château de Vadré are laid out in the English style and include several garden structures and pavilions. This offers a different form of design: a garden and park with several architectural features. The château is privately owned and cannot be visited. Before a future trip, you should check this visitor restriction again.

Discover more destinations: Lhomme, La Chapelle-Aux-Choux, Sainte-Osmane, Cherré, Yvré-Lʼévêque, Saint-Léonard-Des-Bois, Beaumont-Sur-Sarthe, Villaines-sous-Malicorne.

For the broader travel overview: Sarthe.