세인트 브라이스 최고의 사이클링 경로

Pretty mill worth a look

These old windmills are the best proof that people were clever enough to harness the power of the wind a number of centuries ago - long before the discovery of electricity and the inventions that followed. So what is celebrated today as modern (so-called green or renewable) energy is essentially "old hat" in a new guise.

The Bellebranche National Forest is a remnant of a larger forest which was cleared for the needs of the Navy. It extends over 140 hectares and is surrounded by a beautiful bocage. It also borders the Curécy pond, where you can observe migratory birds from a small observatory. The forest has an educational trail that explains its history and biodiversity. You can access the forest from the villages of Bouère or Saint-Brice, where you can also visit the remains of an old Cistercian abbey. The Bellebranche National Forest is a privileged place to enjoy nature and discover the local heritage.

The Étang de Curécy is a beautiful pond which was once part of a series of seven ponds belonging to the Bellebranche Abbey. The monks practiced fish farming there. Today, these ponds serve as a refuge for migratory birds. A small observatory located on the shore and accessible to all allows you to appreciate the view of the water and the surrounding vegetation. The Curécy Pond is part of a larger natural area which includes the Bellebranche forest and its bocage, where rare plants and animals can be found.

It is an atypical mill built on a cellar. Built in the 12th century, it is today the last of this type existing in the department of Mayenne.

At the beginning of the 11th century it was a Benedictine abbey. It is worth visiting, but also crossing the river to admire it from its elevated position.

Built in the 13th century, the Manoir de la Cour is one of the rare examples of a civil building from this period that is still well preserved. It has been restored and now houses a permanent exhibition on the history of the building in the Middle Ages.

The mill dates from the 10th century. The lords of Champagne allowed the inhabitants of the parish to use the mill for a fee. In the 19th century, three wheels were in service. The smallest was used to grind oak or chestnut bark to tan hides. The other two wheels were used to produce flour. The mill has been beautifully restored over the past decade.