Monuments to visit Maine-Et-Loire

This historic site is made up of two distinct parts only a few dozen metres apart: a castle and a hospital with a magnificent apothecary. The first was, in the 15th century, the hunting lodge of King René who had it built on the ruins of the 11th century. Enter the place of pleasure of the Good King and meet the various characters who have marked the history of this domain and the region. A projection, followed by a show, presents chivalry and courtly love as practiced by the members of the Anjou dynasty. King René's bedroom, the star room of the visit, has been reconstructed from period documents.

As for the Hôtel-Dieu, it refers to the exceptional 17th century hospital complex, which was in operation until 2001. Note that it is only accessible with a guide. Through the exhibition in the large sick room, you will learn more about medicine at the time of Louis XIV. The visit ends with a visit to the admirable apothecary: 650 jars, flasks and other containers welcome you to this pharmacy dating from 1675, still filled with the products of yesteryear and a true testimony to a crucial period in the development of medicine. Don't miss the baroque chapel with its double choir, as well as part of the conventual buildings. To make the most of these places, theatrical tours rich in twists and turns are regularly scheduled.

In the place of the Moulin du Moulin, two ogival arches classified in the th and th centuries had a hanged mill, whose wheels, easily steerable, were adaptaient to the Loire movements. Then push up to the small village of Patache, haunted by the memories of the sailors who lived there once.

The original square tower of this water mill is an eye-catcher, built at the beginning of the 20th century, andwas inspired by a stay in Italy by the owner at the time. And if you are wondering how a mill works, why not take the opportunity to visit it? Still in working order, he remains the only one to grind his grain thanks to the hydraulic energy he draws from the Mayenne River. During the visit, you will learn everything about the technique used for ages by millers. With its 7 m diameter paddle wheel, hydraulic turbine, 145 pulleys, 470 m of belts and manufacturing machines, wheat is transformed into flour in a more elaborate way than we can imagine. Since February 2007, the Chenillé-Changé mill has diversified its activities. In addition to the production of flour, which can be bought in the shop, it has caught up with modern times, becoming an electricity producer. An informative visit, we come out a little less stupid!

Built in the th century, this church is crowned with one of the curiosities of the region: the balls-twisted, whose arrows, instead of straight point to the clouds, offer amazing twists. One does not end up wondering about the origin of these forms: wood distortion, human will… or maléfices? It even says that, on the occasion of the marriage of two twin twins with two twin brothers, a curious inversion would have occurred, causing movement on the parochial left of the bell. You can choose the version that best suits you… after you are on the spot. This steeple is one of the five clochers twisted in the region, all within a radius of 10 km: Fougeré, Mouliherne, Pontigné, Old-Baugé.

François David and Olivier Leconte thrive on a large vineyard completely converted to organic production and put some of the jewels of winemaking wine in Anjou in white Anjou, Anjou-villages, rosé, both dry and soft.

Gennes was an important Gallo-Roman city because of its privileged position on the Loire and trade routes. There are still many remains of this period, more or less well preserved, of which the most remarkable is the amphitheatre of Mazerolles. Considered the largest Gallo-Roman amphitheatre in the west, it could accommodate up to 5,000 spectators. Its construction is original: on the hillside, the cellars of the arena were dug; only the podium and the surrounding wall were built. During the Empire, the theatre organised the circus games, which saw gladiators and animals confront each other, but also naumachia (water fights) thanks to a machinery that allowed to flood the arena. One of its main characteristics is its perfectly preserved terracotta drainage pavement. This amphitheatre and other remains discovered - baths, temples, aqueduct, habitat - were part of a vast Gallo-Roman complex built at the end of the 1st century AD and used until the beginning of the 3rd century. Finally, an area of habitat has recently been revealed during an archaeological diagnosis that completes the observations already established. For the time being, the researchers hypothesize that Gennes would have been a large sanctuary in a rural area and a place of conciliation before the conquest of Gaul. Guided tours and animations help to make these ruins full of history talk!