The best traffic-free bike rides around Fresnay-Sur-Sarthe

Far from the high Alpine passes, here is a small climb in the Sarthe countryside. On the program, 1.8 kilometers at an average of 4.5% coming from Montreuil-le-Chétif, or 2.1 kilometers at an average of 5.2% from Pezé-le-Robert.

The church is composed of a bell tower grafted onto the side, the ground floor of which is vaulted with ribs, three of the bases supporting the fall of the arches having no decoration, the fourth being sculpted with a small fox's head. The stained glass windows are from 1866 and 1934-1942, five presenting an element of the heritage of the commune associated with a scene from the life of a Saint venerated in the parish, such as Saint Mathurin. The old presbytery from 1704 with openings with debarked lintels is attached to the church.

Saint-Pierre Church, from the mid-19th century (from 1856 or 1858).

The Chapitrel is the name given to the entrance gate. The period door is in the Renaissance style. This construction had several functions: It was reserved for catechumens who were not allowed to enter the church and served as a warehouse for farmers who sold at the market on Sunday mornings. The saddleback tower dates from 1545. It is 28 m high. It is square and has four levels. Each floor is separated by an external Roussard belt called a "larmier" which overhangs quite widely, preventing water from running off. At the top of the roof are two granite crosses, each topped with a copper weather vane representing a crowned dragon's head.

19th century Sainte-Madeleine Church, housing a painted panel (The Adoration of the Shepherds) from the 16th or 17th century classified as a Historic Monument

In the 13th century, a first church was built in the current Old Town, it was consecrated by Bishop Jean de Chanlay. The parish lordship, attached to the land and castle of Maleffre, belonged to the Paulmier du Bouillon house. Maleffre was a fortified castle, surrounded by moats. The parish owned several other fiefs such as Chevalerie and Bois Margot. The territory of Arçonnay extended to the river which constituted the boundary between the departments. The construction, by Abbot Drouin, of the current church in the hamlet of Saint-Blaise, was completed in 1848.

A first church was founded in 1070 by the Bishop of Le Mans, Guillaume de Passavant. The current building consists of a nave with two bays and an elongated choir narrower than the nave. The two aisles are unequal, the northern one being narrower than the southern one. A sacristy has been added to the east of the choir. The bell tower, almost square in plan, is located to the south of the choir, it is topped with a saddleback roof: it is the most authentic element of the whole, despite a very cemented coating. Three small bays with a pointed arch have been opened on the east side, two on the south side. The western facade, restored in the 19th century, has a semicircular portal resting on engaged columns with two Romanesque-style capitals. A tall semicircular window was opened late on the first level of the gable wall. The windows of the side façades are in pointed arches, their flamboyant network could date from the 16th century. The last bay of the choir is lit by a high semicircular window which dates, like the large façade window, from the 19th century. The interior of the church is covered with wooden barrel vaults whose decoration dates from the last century. The main altarpiece and the side altarpieces are of quality; the church has preserved its wooden pews. In 2002, the Sauvegarde de l’Art français granted a sum of €12,000 for the repair of the exterior plasterwork.

Contemporary art center, work of art and architecture in the village. Unmissable, too bad the cycle path doesn’t go there