Sargé-sur-Braye is a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department, in the Centre-Val de Loire region, 24 km north-west of Vendôme.
Bordering the Sarthe to the west, its vast territory of 42 km² is crossed from north to south by the course of the Braye, into which the Grenne flows, to the south-west of the town.
The locality belongs to the natural region of Perche, and its landscapes are dotted with valleys, hills and plateaus. The latter are mostly covered with forests (65% of its area), arable land, crops and meadows (30%). On Sargé-sur-Braye, agriculture is mainly cereal-based, but it should be noted that the town also has production areas for Maine beef, Loué poultry and eggs and Val-de-Loire wines.
Appeared in the Middle Ages, composed of dwellings most often built in sandstone called roussard (pink or rust in color, due to the presence of iron), the village now has just over 1000 inhabitants. We appreciate a quality heritage (churches, castles) and hiking enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the surrounding countryside, between valleys and forests.
A rich heritage is to be discovered in the village and its close surroundings. A walk dedicated to these testimonies of the past of Sargé can begin with the Saint-Martin church. Its pre-Romanesque foundations were altered in the 12th and 14th centuries. The building is renowned for its 14th century frescoes, precisely, adorning the choir and part of the nave. A series of 12 scenes illustrates in particular the agricultural work that punctuates the year. We also notice on the facade an epitaph in white marble and a caquetoire (canopy). Finally, the church was endowed with decorative elements from the Renaissance (16th century), such as a door with pilasters and pediments, paneling decorated with carved or painted decorations being then placed at the level of the nave.
Finally, the Saint-Martin church houses two permanent exhibitions: the first is dedicated to Roussard stone, this ferruginous red sandstone typical of Perche, the second highlighting the murals. Open every day from Easter to All Saints. FREE ENTRANCE.
The village has a second church, dedicated to Saint-Cyr, mentioned from the 12th century as a possession of the Abbey of Saint-Denis. In fact, the oldest parts of the building are in the Romanesque style (windows, semi-circular chevet), then alterations were made (large Gothic bay in the south wall of the apse, Renaissance chapels). Partly burnt down during the Wars of Religion and then rebuilt, the church has a special feature: its clock with Jacquemart, a small automaton that greets the hours...
In terms of civil heritage, the manor or castle of Radrets, built on a spur dominating the confluence of the Braye and the Grenne, has medieval origins. It has preserved defensive bastions built of Roussard stone. Property of the de la Bérruère family from 1444 to 1521, of the Illiers family from 1522 to 1765 then of Anne Racine, the playwright's granddaughter, from 1765 to 1831, the estate was remodeled during the Renaissance and then in the 17th and eighteenth centuries. Nowadays, listed in the Inventory, we observe that the main building dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries. At the rear, a square stair tower is partly nested in the west facade. A square wing is more recent. To the south, a chapel was added in the 17th century. Finally, on the estate, a barn has a chestnut frame in the hull of a ship, certainly from the Gothic period. The property is always private. Open to visitors in August and by reservation. Price: 4 and 6 euros. Information on +33 2 54 72 73 10.
Also worth seeing is the Château de Montmarin. Combining Roussard and Touraine freestone stones, the building dates mainly from the 17th century and the classical style dwelling, the outbuildings and the chapels form a rectangular courtyard open to the west, dominating the Braye valley. Inside, period woodwork has been preserved. The castle however is not open to visitors, just like that of Fief Cordin, nearby. Mentioned at the beginning of the 17th century, with lodgings and outbuildings, the building changed owners frequently, which explains the many alterations to which it has been subjected. It is always private.
We should not forget… the natural heritage. A few kilometers north-east of the village, a detour is essential to the quarry of La Mutte, now classified as a Sensitive Natural Area. The site allows you to discover how the Roussard stone was formed: it was at the time of the Cenomanian (around 100 million years ago), when the sea withdrew and on the upper part of the sediments, a sandstone ferruginous solidified… Panels explain this geological singularity and evoke the extraction by men of this wealth for construction purposes. A visit to the quarry can complement that of the exhibition in the Saint-Martin church.
On the leisure side, near the campsite, a children's playground with zip line, fitness equipment, a bowling alley and a multi-sports ground are accessible. Information on +33 2 54 72 73 17.
For fishing enthusiasts, the Braye and Grenne rivers prove to be excellent exercise grounds: find out about regulations and suitable sites from the departmental federation on +33 2 54 90 25 60.
All that remains is to take advantage of the many hiking trails (some accessible to mountain bikes) which cross the vast municipal territory, along the rivers, the cultivated hillsides or sinking into the rich forests. A break is to be made in particular at the level of the Marotière coast which allows you to contemplate the panorama of the Braye valley as well as the village. In addition, a circuit is dedicated to the essential Roussard stone! Maps and information on +33 2 54 80 96 16 or +33 7 67 53 82 81.
