Villaines-sous-Malicorne brings together specific cultural landmarks and two clearly named ways to get around on foot and by bike. Saint-Germain Church features a Romanesque apse and wall paintings from different centuries. In the Bois des Justices, the Chêne au Diable stands beside a very old route; there is also a 7.5 km circular walking trail and the Voie verte. This gives you a way to assess the destination based on its architecture, landscape or the type of route you are looking for.

Saint-Germain: Romanesque architecture and wall paintings

Saint-Germain Church was built in the 11th and 12th centuries by Simon de Villaines, Lord of La Roche-Simon. Its Romanesque apse has a calotte vault, a dome-shaped vault. This combines the general classification of the church as Romanesque with a precisely identified architectural feature: the focus is on the shape of the apse and the distinctive way it is vaulted.

Inside, Saint-Germain contains wall paintings from the 15th and 17th centuries. The building and its artwork therefore represent different periods: the church dates from the 11th and 12th centuries, while the wall paintings come from two later centuries. For those interested in culture, this raises two distinct questions about the building—how the Romanesque apse is designed and which periods the paintings come from.

The Chêne au Diable and the old route

The Chêne au Diable shifts the focus from the church to the surrounding landscape. The tree stands in the Bois des Justices, beside a very old route, and is classed as a remarkable tree. Its location and its status as a remarkable tree provide two specific points of interest: you can consider the tree in relation to its setting in the Bois des Justices and also view the old route as part of the local context. Compared with Saint-Germain, the focus shifts from Romanesque architecture and wall paintings to a tree and its location beside an old route.

A circular walking trail or the Voie verte

The two routes differ in length, format and activity. The 7.5 km circular walking trail starts at Place du Docteur Gosselin, by the town hall, and is suitable for mountain bikes. The Voie verte between La Suze-sur-Sarthe and La Flèche passes through Villaines-sous-Malicorne; in 2026, it offers 27 km for walking, hiking and cycling. The first option is clearly defined as a shorter circular route; the Voie verte offers a longer route and lists three types of activity. This makes it easier to choose based on the distance you have in mind and whether you want to hike, walk or cycle.

Choose your stay based on your interests

If you are looking for a holiday rental in Villaines-sous-Malicorne, you can choose the location based on these interests: Saint-Germain offers Romanesque architecture and wall paintings, while the Chêne au Diable links a tree with an old route. For outdoor activities, the circular trail and the Voie verte differ in length, format and stated uses. This lets you first check whether the combination of cultural landmarks and selected routes suits your stay.

Discover more destinations: Le Bailleul, Juigné-sur-Sarthe, Saint-Pierre-Des-Bois, Louplande, Moulins-le-Carbonnel, Mareil-Sur-Loir, Chahaignes, Roézé-sur-Sarthe.

For the wider travel guide: Sarthe.