Clarafilisecrémontins Route

Park in the car park in the village of Clairefougère, which means ‘where the ferns have been cleared’. The church is dedicated to Saint Martin.

(S/E) Start the route by following the sign for ‘La porte Blaise’ opposite the church forecourt. Follow the path straight ahead to the stone bridge, then turn left to pass under the railway bridge. Continue to the hamlet of Trompe-Souris: its name refers to the small, inefficient mill that could not even feed the rodents, a building that already existed in 1832.

(1) Cross the junction and continue straight ahead to the Chapelle des Épinets, built in memory of the soldiers from Montsecret who died during the 1914–1918 war. Turn right onto the D265 and continue for about 150 metres.

(2) Take the path on the left leading to the Tinchebray–Montsecret road (D911), which was once flanked by the old railway line from Montsecret to Tinchebray, built in 1883 and permanently closed in 1964.

(3) Head left towards Montsecret, whose name is thought to mean ‘hidden hill’ – isolated and therefore secret. Another theory suggests it derives from ‘ségré’ or ‘segreur’, the ancient name for a druid, hence ‘the druid’s hill’. Walk past the town hall, a building constructed in 1859, which became Montsecret’s town hall and school in 1931. Turn right and head for Parc Constant Aubry: a good spot for a picnic, with toilets available.

(4) Turn back to the crossroads and head up Rue des Chardonnets opposite. Ignore a small road branching off to the right.

(5) Take the dirt track on the right known as the ‘Grippe-Chat’: is it because it climbs so steeply that, like cats, you have to cling on to get up it? Follow this winding track for about 1 km.

(6) Turn right onto the Chemin du Moulin, created in 2021. Take the first bend to the right, then the second to the left, and you’ll reach the level crossing.

(7) Cross the railway line and turn right towards the Lambone manor house, seat of the seigneury of Clairefougère. It was rebuilt in the 15th century by the noble de La Bigne family.

(8) At the wayside cross, take the path up to the left. This bends to the left and leads to the Chapel of Sainte-Radegonde. Every year, on the second Sunday in August, a pilgrimage is held in its honour.

(9) Continue downhill to the church and the car park (S/E).