New municipality of Orne, in Normandy, Val-au-Perche was born on January 1st, 2016 from the grouping of Gémages, L'Hermitière, Male, La Rouge, Saint-Aignan-sur-Erre, and Theil. It is located about sixty kilometers from Alençon, not far from Nogent-le-Rotrou and La Ferté-Bernard.
If it is recent, the commune of Val-au-Perche however takes place on a territory with the old human occupation and the rich history. Its seat, The Theil, a former fortified city of considerable known including English seats in the fifteenth century, while Male was the home of the famous Cistercian Abbey of Notre-Dame-des-Clairets founded by Mathilde de Saxe.
Today, Val-au-Perche is appreciated by visitors for its unspoiled landscapes, as well as for its modest architectural heritage that bears witness to the rich and fascinating history of this new Norman town.
Listed as an historic monument, Notre-Dame church is located in the commune of Theil. In particular, it presents doors of the sacristy door classified as Historical Monuments as object. Nearby, you can also admire the Abadie factory, a former cigarette paper factory founded in the late 19th century and closed in the mid-1970s.
The church Saint-Martin of Gémages is, also, registered with the Historical Monuments. Built in the twelfth century, it reveals in its interior a monumental painting of the fifteenth century and a Virgin and Child of the sixteenth century, both classified as Historical Monuments. Do not miss to admire the mill of the old town.
Built in the 18th century, the castle of L'Hermitière still has a dovecote, a defense tower, and common end of the eighteenth century. Part of the real estate complex, as well as some interior decorations are registered with the Historical Monuments. The park is also very popular with visitors. Built in the 17th century, the Church of the Most Holy Trinity is also worth a visit. It houses in particular baptismal font, a Virgin and Child of the sixteenth century, three altarpieces of the eighteenth century, and a painting of the seventeenth century listed Historical Monuments.
The church of Saint-Martin de Mâle, built in the twelfth, fifteenth and eighteenth centuries is listed in the Monuments Historique. It houses several classified objects. In the old town, you can also admire the remains of the former Notre-Dame-des-Clairets abbey, Renaudin foundry, or the paper mill of the late nineteenth century listed historical monument. Also listed, the castle of Launay dates from the sixteenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It shelters a painting and a reliquary classified with the Historical Monuments.
Of Romanesque origin, the Saint-Rémy church of La Rouge dates, for the oldest parts, from the 12th century. Modified in the sixteenth century, it presents two Renaissance style windows with stained glass representing St. Michael, St. Catherine and a Pietà. You can admire a 17th century altarpiece from the Récollets de Cherré listed historical monument. You will also be able to discover the manor of the Gauberdière of the end of the 15th century and its chapel of the 16th century registered with the Historical Monuments, the Beaussionnère, oldest seigniory of Red built at the end of the 13th century, or still the castle of Lorière. Built in the middle of the eighteenth century, it unveils including an English park open to visitors. The whole is registered with the Historical Monuments.
The Saint-Agnan church of Saint-Agnan-sur-Erre built in the sixteenth century, has a 15th century altarpiece and a Pieta sixteenth listed Historical Monument. The town also has the Amilly castle of Renaissance origin and remodeled in the nineteenth century with its delightful garden.
A market is held every Wednesday morning at Theil. A Christmas market is also proposed at the end of the year.
A paper party is proposed in June.
In July, it's time for the Male village festival with its fireworks, ball, musical entertainment and many other festivities.
In October is organized the traditional festival of cider with animations and tastings.
Chemin des Ateliers du Perche - Sophie K
- From 26 to 28 april 2024
- 5 la Rigotière, L'Hermitière
- Sophie K transports us into her universe through images often inspired by the plant world. The photographic medium allows her to capture the raw but also dreamlike character of nature. - She invites us to travel on the traces of her sensations linked to nature and the elements that surround her. - (to access the workshop please go through the hamlet of Chêne Vert).
Chemins des Ateliers du Perche - Pierre Amourette : Sculpteur Céramique
- From 26 to 28 april 2024
- 8 les crocs, Male
- Come and make your own piece and watch it being cooked at night, warmed by late harvest wines to sip ! - 10 people maximum. - Registration by telephone with Pierre and Claudine.
Le Château de Lorière en Lumière
- On 18 may 2024
- La Rouge, Place de l'Eglise La Rouge
- At 9.30pm, starting from the church square in La Rouge, take a stroll to the 18th-century Château de Lorière. Discover its illuminated English garden. - Approx. 2 km, with direct access to the site
Randos 61 : A la Découverte des Paysages du Perche
- On 26 may 2024
- 3 Lieu dit le Chêne Vert, Le-Theil-sur-Huisne, Parking du hameau du Chêne Vert
- An 8 km loop to discover the typical Perche landscapes and local flora and fauna.
Fête de la Musique !
- On 14 june 2024
- Salle des fêtes, MALE
- Fête de la musique in Male (Val-au-Perche), in collaboration with Male associations and the town of Val-au-Perche
