"Par les portes et remparts" hiking trail

This Sarthe village owes its renown to its rich architectural and artistic heritage. A medieval festival is held here every year in June.

Dedicated to Saint Julien, the church dates back to the 12th century, but underwent several alterations in the 18th and 19th centuries. The bell-tower adjoining the south side of the building, an architectural original, undoubtedly completed the town’s defensive system.

A 12th-century relic built on a hill, it is cylindrical in shape and surrounded by ditches and embankments. Its strategic and defensive function was abandoned in the 15th century. Today, it houses an animal park (open only in high season).

The village is completely surrounded by a rampart, which was also preceded by a moat and whose construction dates back to the 12th century. Two gates remain today: the Porte Saint-Mathurin towards Le Mans, and the Porte Saint-Rémy towards the Saosnois region. Despite major alterations in the 19th century, this remains one of the finest examples of fortification in the region.

From the 19th century onwards, the village became famous for its embroidery industry. The very precise technique known as “Point de Beauvais” produces very fine embroidery with rich color nuances.

This small commune of 300 inhabitants stretches to the foot of the town of Bourg-le-Roi. Here you’ll find a beautiful donkey statue, as Chérisay has long been famous for its donkey festival, which unfortunately no longer exists.