The best traffic-free bike rides in Forêt De Bécon

In 1760, Laurent Bertholet, the village priest, rebuilt the church and had the bells recast. Dedicated to Saint Augustine in the 18th century, the church measured 15 meters long by 7.40 meters wide, with a chancel (4 meters by 3.25 meters) and a sanctuary (2 meters by 4.20 meters). The bell tower now houses three bells: Pauline, Louise, and Bernadette. The stained-glass window in the center of the chancel was a gift from Mr. and Mrs. de la Perrière. In 1789, the parish of Saint-Augustin-des-Bois was renamed, like all other parishes bearing the name of a saint. It was then called "Le Grand Bois" (The Great Wood). The grievance notebooks provide us with information about village life: “The poor abound among the hemp growers, as well as among the tenant farmers and sharecroppers scattered throughout the woods and heathland, who saw their work reduced to nothing by the invasions of does, stags, badgers, wild boars, rabbits, partridges… all sorts of predatory animals that destroy rural property.” The presbytery, for its part, was acquired by the municipality in 1825, and the cemetery was moved outside the village in 1808.

The road is a bit bumpy there but the area is worth a look!

Picturesque lock on the banks of the Mayenne on the Vélo Francette route. It is an ideal place to take a break and enjoy the idyllic setting. You can stock up at the Écluse bistro, or visit the small village.

Beautiful suspension bridge spanning the Loire. From the bridge you have an excellent view of the Loire, its banks, and many boatmen's boats.

Great spot for a short stop

The church was rebuilt at the end of the 12th century, but its bell tower, later, only dates from the 16th century. The building survived the Revolution without damage but underwent numerous transformations in the 19th century, in particular during the work of the architect Charles Joly-Leterme who between 1864 and 1880 revisited this monument in the neo-Romanesque style.

The history of this church begins in 1028 when Foulque Nerra and his wife Hildegarde decided to found the Abbey of Notre-Dame-de-la-Charité. The church is classified under historical monuments by the list of 1840.

You can discover the Saint-Nicolas Pond by following the wooded path which runs along both banks of the artificial lake. With a length of 5 to 7.7 kilometers, this trail offers varied natural landscapes: forests, meadows and dry moors. You can also enjoy views of Charlemont Fortress, a 16th century stronghold built by Emperor Charles V. The Etang Saint-Nicolas is a historic site that dates back to the 10th century, when it was created by Count Foulques Nerra to supply water to the nearby Abbey of Saint-Nicolas. You can access the Étang Saint-Nicolas on foot from the town of Angers, or by car from the nearby car park. You can also take a boat cruise on the Maine to see the pond from another perspective.