Fresnay-sur-Sarthe - Journées Européennes du Patrimoine

Programme for European Heritage Days in Fresnay-sur-Sarthe: SATURDAY - Family workshop ‘Les Poupées Philippart’ at the Espace Culturel Coféa (3 Rue Saint-Saveur) – at 10.30 am Created in 1942 at the Moulin de la Coursure in Fresnay, these dolls were crafted by the Philippart family from natural materials and dressed in costumes inspired by 18th- and 19th-century fashions. Most of them come to life, dancing beneath a glass dome to delight young and old alike. Join Caroline Lepelley-Philippart to explore this exceptional craft, then discover how to create and personalise your own doll as a family (materials provided). Ages 6 and over. Maximum 20 people. Booking required: 07 56 43 06 34. - Tour of Saint-Germain Church (Place Maurice Perruchet) – at 6.00 pm Join a one-hour guided tour to discover Saint-Germain Church, its architecture, its portal (listed as a historic monument), its stained-glass windows and its furnishings, all of which bear witness to several centuries of religious, artistic and heritage history. SUNDAY - Guided tour of Fresnay-sur-Sarthe – setting off at 3.00 pm in front of the castle gate, Place de Bassum From the postern gate, via the market halls, the narrow alleyways and Notre-Dame Church, this tour will reveal the historical and architectural treasures of this ‘Petite Cité de Caractère’. - The Fresnay Flea Market beneath the old market halls, Place de Bassum – from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Beneath the market halls, come and discover and buy items steeped in history sold by specialist dealers (furniture, trinkets, mirrors, tableware, vintage linens, etc.). SATURDAY AND SUNDAY - La Forge de Lumière, the studio of stained-glass artist Marianne Pelcerf – open from 9am to 12 noon and from 2pm to 6pm - Presentation on the restoration of the Moulin d’Espaillard waterwheel by the owners – from 2 pm to 6 pm - Exhibition: Saint-Germain, Coulombiers & the Legion of Honour at Saint-Germain-sur-Sarthe Town Hall (Place Maurice Perruchet) – from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm This temporary exhibition, comprising around ten display panels, will highlight the varied life stories of residents of Saint-Germain-sur-Sarthe and Coulombiers, all of whom have been awarded France’s highest honour for their civil or military service to the nation. - Memories in Fabric: Discovering headdresses and their secrets at the Musée de la Coiffe (3 Rue Saint-Saveur) – from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm and from 2.30 pm to 6.00 pm From the ‘bonnette’ to the ‘galette’, via the ‘bise-moi vite’, these headdresses once worn by the women of the Sarthe region now bear witness to an era and a society that have since vanished. Volunteer lace-makers will be on hand throughout the weekend to explain the history of the headdresses and the various restoration techniques used. The activities, tours and admission to the sites are free of charge.