In Lhomme, travel interests range from wine and cultural history to landscapes and non-motorized travel. The attractions tell different stories: a dolmen and a church represent the built heritage, while the Jasnières AOC represents a clearly defined wine tradition. The Mon Idée viewpoint and the voie verte offer other points of interest. By keeping these themes distinct, you can plan your trip around your own interests rather than reducing it to a single theme.
Jasnières: wine and local history
The Jasnières AOC is exclusively for white wine made from the Chenin grape variety. Its history is specifically linked to Lhomme: local winegrowers joined forces and secured the AOC on August 11, 1937. The grape variety rule defines the type of wine, while the date marks the creation of the appellation. Jasnières can therefore be understood both through the composition of the wine and through the collective initiative of the winegrowers.
For travelers interested in wine, this connection offers a precise starting point: the appellation is linked to a single grape variety and wine type, while its history stems from the winegrowers’ collective action. These are two distinct aspects of the same local wine tradition—its clearly defined character and its historical background.
Heritage: dolmen, church and technological history
The “la pierre Maupertuis” dolmen in Lhomme was listed as a historic monument on February 8, 1984. Another historical landmark is the church of “L’église Saint Martin,” built in the 12th century with a single nave and an apse. The nave is the main space of the church; the apse is a separate architectural feature. Together, these two elements give a brief sense of the building’s layout.
The church’s furnishings can also be distinguished by their location. Lacroix’s painting “La Vierge au Rosaire,” classified as a historic monument in 1906, is in the north chapel. In the apse is a 17th-century altarpiece with another painting by Lacroix: “Le Christ aux instruments de la Passion.” This painting was added to the register of historic monuments by decree of the Prefect of Sarthe on August 11, 2016. The two works are therefore located in different parts of the church and each has its own monument history.
The area’s technological history includes a wind-powered installation set up in 1892 by the company founded by Auguste Bollée. It was used to pump water to the château below. Alongside architecture and painting, this offers a separate theme: a specific former technological function.
Landscapes and non-motorized routes
The voie verte connects Montval-sur-Loir and Bessé-sur-Braye over a distance of 33 kilometers. Of this, 2.5 kilometers are in the Loir-et-Cher département; the voie verte also complements the “Vallée du Loir à vélo” route. It is reserved for non-motorized travel. It is open to pedestrians, bicycles including electric bicycles, wheelchairs, skateboards, roller skates, scooters and strollers. The listed permitted uses make clear that the route is intended for more than just walkers and cyclists.
The “Mon Idée” viewpoint offers a beautiful view of the Loir Valley and its vineyards. An orientation panel is also provided. This brings together two different ways to experience the landscape: a named viewpoint with a vista and information panel on the one hand, and a 33-kilometer route connecting two towns on the other. If you are choosing between a specific viewpoint and a non-motorized route, these details offer two different points of reference for planning.
Wine tradition, heritage and landscapes can each be the focus of a trip to Lhomme. The Jasnières AOC combines a precise wine rule with the history of the winegrowers; the church and dolmen represent different forms of built heritage. Mon Idée draws your attention to the valley and vineyards, while the voie verte describes a longer route with specified permitted uses. This distinction helps you choose your trip’s focus deliberately.
Discover more destinations: Thoiré-Sous-Contensor, Pontvallain, Épineu-le-Chevreuil, Souvigné-Sur-Même, Surfonds, Bouloire, Aubigné-Racan, Brûlon
For the regional travel overview: Sarthe.
