The best traffic-free bike rides around Piré-Sur-Seiche

The Sainte-Marie-Madeleine church was built in the 19th century in a neo-Gothic style by Aristide Tourneux, an architect from Castelgiron. With a touch of humor, the town's priest in 1912 wanted to give "cats to the girons": Arthur Regnault, a sculptor, therefore sculpted cats at the four corners of the bell tower. Having collapsed in 1998 following a severe storm, the bell tower was rebuilt identically in 2000.

Church attested in the 12th century. Nave flanked by a north aisle, built between 1540 and 1549 (date of consecration by the bishop of Rennes), and by a south aisle, built between 1603 and 1605 (dates inscribed). Inscription on the south door: ESTANT NOBLE ET DISCRET PRESTRE : RENE DE L'ESPINAY RECTEUR DE PIRE : SIEUR DE LA GUAYE FUT CESTE EDIF : CE COMMENCE. SA (NC) TE DEUS SA (NC) TE FORTIS SA (NC) TE IMORTALIS MISERERE NOBIS SA (NC) TE PETRE ORA P (RO) NOBIS : TOUT EST A Dieu 1603. The choir was first rebuilt in 1627, then surmounted by a dome struck by lightning in 1741, then again between 1752 and 1775, flanked by side sacristies. Bell tower at the top of the nave rebuilt in 1669. In 1874, architect Aristide Tourneux had a bay added to the north of the nave and a porch-tower surmounted by a spire built. Stained glass windows signed and dated: Claudius Lavergne 1882, and also stained glass windows from the Rault workshops and the Carmel of Le Mans. South wall of the enclosure redone in the 19th century with a monumental corner staircase.

Old church mentioned as early as 1160 and rebuilt in the 16th and 17th centuries (old tower dated 1582). The current church was entirely built to the plans of Arthur Regnault in 1904 (date and attribution by source). He uses the model of the so-called Plantagenet vaulted ceiling for the covering of the nave and aisles, but for the bell tower, he draws inspiration from Cornish bell walls. Two windows from the late 15th and 16th centuries of the old church were reused on the south side of the nave. This church, rebuilt in the Breton flamboyant style, is representative of the architect's style during this period.

The Saint-Pierre church was built between 1885 and 1888. The plans were drawn up by the architect Michel Gelly. Due to a lack of financial resources, the building never received a spire.

The church of Saint-Sulpice (17th century). Dedicated to Saint Sulpice, bishop of Bourges, the church of Ossé consists of a single nave ending in a straight chancel, to which two chapels have been added, forming the transepts. It has no style and may partly date back to the 16th century, as indicated by the ogival window of its chancel, now walled up. The North chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and originally reserved for the lord of Charot, was built in 1611. The other chapel, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, also seems to be from the 17th century. Le Plessix d'Ossé was the manor house of the parish. In 1440, Duke Jean V settled a dispute concerning the right of burial in the church of Ossé between the sieur du Pan, lord of Plessix, and the sieur de Montbeille, lord of Grées. The ecclesiastical superiority belonged to Ossé to the baron de Châteaugiron, but the lord of Plessix enjoyed the rights of founder and patron; this was declared in 1694 by Gabrielle Glé, marquise de la Vallière and lady of Plessix (National Archives, P. 1721). Jacques Le Prestre, baron de Châteaugiron, having acquired Plessix in 1744, took possession of all these honorary rights and had his coat of arms placed in the choir and on the high altar of the church of Ossé. As for the lord of Charot, he had his tomb, his pew, and his coat of arms in his reserved chapel. The bell tower dates from 1899. The altarpiece of the Holy Trinity dates from the 17th century.

With nearly 20 meters long, 6 meters wide, and 4 meters high, the Roche-aux-Fées remains the largest dolmen in France and one of the best-preserved in Europe. It is composed of a schist-covered passage formed by four chambers whose meaning has not yet been revealed. Although the construction of this monument dates back to the Neolithic period, around 2000 BC, specialists remain perplexed about its construction method. The site is impressive. And when you know that some stones weighing over 40 tons come from several kilometers around, you wonder how the inhabitants of the time managed to move them there. Such a site could only inspire stories, legends, and beliefs. One of them tells that the fairy Viviane, aided by fellow fairies, would have built this imposing monument... in one night. Another concerns lovers: to know if their union will last, couples must walk around the Roche-aux-fées, each in a different direction, and count the stones. If they find the same number of stones, their future will be bright! Through a mysterious alignment during the winter solstice on December 21st or 22nd, the sun rises facing the entrance of the dolmen. At that moment, the light rays magically illuminate the stone located at the back of the covered passage. Access is free and open. The small surrounding roads are charming and quiet.

Short video of the site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqEBsKL7P7s

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