Montrevault-sur-Èvre is a town of Maine-et-Loire, in the Pays-de-la-Loire region, 50 km south-west of Angers, on the edge of the Loire Atlantique.
It was officially created in December 2015 following the merger of the localities of Montrevault (1294 inhabitants), La Boissière-sur-Evre (420), Chaudron-en-Mauges (1471), La Chaussaire (803), Le Fief-Sauvin (1666), Le Fuilet (1949), Le Puiset-Doré (1182), Saint-Pierre-Montlimart (3404), Saint-Quentin-en-Mauges (1059), Saint-Rémy-en-Mauges (1485), The Salle-et-Chapelle-Aubry (1331), hitherto united in intercommunality.
The territory of the new entity is now vast of nearly 200 km² and brings together some 16,000 inhabitants. It belongs to the natural and historical region of Mauges, south-west of the former province of Anjou, rich in groves, and marked by the Vendée uprising in 1793.
Already inhabited during the Neolithic, become powerful strongholds during the Middle Ages and the Old regime, the villages of the new municipality have retained prosperity related to agriculture and small industrial units. Their heritage and their landscape environment will delight lovers of green and cultural tourism near the splendours of the Loire Valley.
Among the historical and patrimonial sites justifying a stage or a detour, the medieval bridge of Bohardy, on Montrevault, protected as historical monuments, appears in a good place. It was built in 1465, consisting of eight arches partly formed of shale stones. The bridge spans the course of the Seine and served for a long time as a liaison between Anjou and the Pays nantais. A playground and picnic tables adjoin the building. Information on +33 2 41 30 02 65.
To see also, the church Notre-Dame, in Fief-Sauvin, a rare example of contemporary sacred architecture. It was completed in 2003. The neo-Gothic style choir of the old building has been preserved, as well as some stained glass windows. But one will also appreciate the oval plan and the modernist aspect marrying with traditional elements. Open every day from 14h to 18h.
In a different register, in Fuilet, the chapel of the Recoins was erected in the aftermath of the Second War by artisans and volunteers of the village. The bricks of an old kiln have been reused, and we note that the two large rollers framing the door were once used to crush the clay used for the manufacture of pots. Information on +33 2 41 70 90 21.
The village Fuilet has retained the rest of its vocation as a small capital of pottery. Many craftsmen still hold a workshop there and a Potter's House has been opened, where exhibitions, demonstrations, a museum space and a shop are held all year long. Open all year from Monday to Friday. Free entry. Information on +33 2 41 70 90 21.
At the level of the village of La Chapelle-Aubry, the church of St. Martin of Tours was built in 1830 replacing a Romanesque church became cramped but some remains are still visible. Inside, beautiful stained glass windows inscribed in additional inventory of historical monuments evoke the wars of Vendée, the First World War and more religious themes. A fine copy of the famous "Crucifixion" by Van Dyck (Flemish painter of the 16th century) is also housed. Open all year. Guided tour possible by contacting +33 2 41 75 76 25.
The chapel Saint-Just, Saint-Pierre-Montlimart, built in the twelfth century, rebuilt in the fifteenth and eighteenth and home to a beautiful altarpiece, and finally the castle of Bas-Plessis, Chaudron-en-Mauges, rebuilt in a neo style -classic in 1845 after the old seigniorial building was destroyed during the Vendée wars, are also worth a step. If the castle which belongs to the same family for several centuries can not be visited, its superb English park where trees have been planted representing at least a hundred species is freely accessible. Romantic atmosphere and serenity guaranteed!
By combining history and pleasure of the hike, a circuit of the Vendée wars was conceived (to go on foot in several stages, by bike or by car) connecting the villages of Montrevault-sur-Èvre and recording the heavy tribute paid during this conflict. Information on +33 2 41 75 54 19. And on La Boissière-sur-Evre, a shorter circuit is dedicated to the victims of the crash of a bomber of the Royal Air Force in July 1944. Brochure and information on +33 2 41 75 54 19.
For other hikes through the new town, thematic or just following the rivers, the hedgerow and other aspects of the Mauges, maps and documentation +33 2 41 75 54 19.
In terms of sports and recreation again, we will appreciate the charm of the lake of Barbotine, near the Fuilet, where a sandy beach has been arranged with supervised swimming in July and August. Playgrounds, sports fields and tennis courts are available, not to mention the walking trails adjacent to the pond. Information on +33 2 41 75 54 19.
For a ride on Montrevault-sur-Èvre, contact the equestrian center of the Stables of Cornuère +33 7 71 62 27 81. Finally, the indoor swimming pool of Saint-Pierre-Montlimart makes it possible to reconcile swimming and idleness. Information on +33 2 41 63 61 19.
