Route of the three towns around Thorigné-en-Charnie

Parking, to the left of the town hall, in the village hall car park behind the school, Rue Margot.

(S/E) Head towards the D7 and turn left, heading due south on this road; for your safety, keep to the left until the next street, on the left.

(1) Turn right onto the dirt track after the presbytery. Take care when crossing the D7. Pass through the hamlets of La Durandière and Le Cormier.

(2) At the hamlet of Les Châteaux, turn left onto the dirt track (which can be muddy in wet weather).
You can see the ancient ruins of the keep and moat of the medieval castle of Thorigné (^{11th century}).
Continue heading south-west.

(3) At La Moinetrie, follow the tarmac road to the right to reach the village of Saulges, a charming little town.

(4) Turn left onto the D235, passing the restaurant L’Ermitage. At the fork in the road, continue to the right.

(5) Turn right, before the Bistrot de la Place, towards Les Molaines.

(6) At the first junction, continue straight on and pass the lime kiln.

(7) Turn right, then left at the crossroads. Follow the signposts to the car park at the caves, enjoying the natural boxwood grove (boxwood formation) as you pass a patch of ‘dry grassland’ maintained by Ouessant sheep.

(8) From the caves’ car park, head down the path towards the river, passing the Museum of Prehistory and the Canyon restaurant.

(9) Cross the two wooden footbridges and continue to the right along the path running alongside the River Erve.
Cross the river again and continue towards the road, passing near the Grotte des Hardrays.

(10) Turn left onto the D583. Caution: busy road. Please take care! Take the next road on the right; at La Cour d’Erve.

(11) Pass the footbridge on your left and continue straight ahead. After 400m, turn left onto the dirt track running alongside the river, then take the wooden footbridge.

(12) Turn left onto the D235 until you reach the entrance to the village of Saint-Pierre. Take the circular loop around Saint-Sylvain Chapel on the right, then head towards the village centre. Walk past the church forecourt.
Take the footbridge on the left. Returning to this point will complete the Saint-Pierre-sur-Erve circular route.

(11) Go straight on towards Les Besnardières.

(13) Continue along the road. Enjoy the beautiful views all the way to Thorigné.

(14) Turn right onto the D7, pass in front of the church and the town hall and, for safety’s sake, take the pavement on the left by the school. Then return to the starting point (A/D).

Toilets, picnic tables: at the Saulges Caves site

Saint-Pierre Church (8th century) – Saulges: Upon entering this modest sanctuary, you find yourself amidst two small churches interlocked on two different levels.
Wall frescoes and ancient paintings to discover. The church is open daily from 9am to 6pm.

Notre-Dame Church (11th century) – Saulges: Seen from the outside, this church with its imposing bell tower, resembling a keep, gives a massive impression. But in contrast, inside you will discover artistic refinement with the richness of the altarpieces from different eras: don’t forget to press the button on the right as you enter to illuminate them better.
The church is open daily from 9am to 6pm.

Restored lime kiln and lime burner’s house: Built in 1838, it produced lime used to fertilise the soil. Free access or guided tours by appointment: 02.43.90.51.30 (for groups only)
From Easter: tours on Sundays (except 10 August) and public holidays from 2 pm to 6 pm

Saulges Caves and Canyon: Among the twenty or so caves in the valley, two are open to the public via guided tours, daily from 16 March to 14 November. The Margot decorated cave, listed as a Historic Monument, offers a horizontal walkway, accessible from the age of 3. In contrast, the Rochefort cave features a 15-metre-deep chasm, accessible from the age of 6.

Prehistory Museum: In this new museum space, you can explore collections from the caves of Saulges and the department.
The highlight of the visit: a 3D exploration of the Mayenne-Sciences cave.

Romanesque Church of Saint-Étienne (12th century) – Thorigné en Charnie

Thévalles Mill: this watermill features an exceptional four-level mechanism which, to the delight of young and old alike, is set in motion during every visit. Open from 1 May to 1 October.