The best traffic-free bike rides around Douillet

This magnificent church in Neuchâtel is dedicated to the patronage of "Saint-ETIENNE". He is one of the first seven deacons of the early Jerusalem community and, according to the biblical accounts in the "New Testament", the first martyr (witness by blood) of early Christianity. The church commemorates his death on the second day of Christmas, December 26th. As the Acts of the Apostles reports: When Stephen loudly proclaimed his vision of the open sky "But he, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God" (Chapter 7, Verse 55), the people were so outraged that they drove him out of the city and stoned him.

Far from the high Alpine passes, here is a small climb in the Sarthe countryside. On the program, 1.8 kilometers at an average of 4.5% coming from Montreuil-le-Chétif, or 2.1 kilometers at an average of 5.2% from Pezé-le-Robert.

Of Romanesque origin, the church of Louvigny has undergone many transformations over time. Among other things, the altars and the altarpiece were donated in the 18th century by Mr. François Thébault, a wealthy donor born in Louvigny. A commemorative plaque was erected in his memory in the sacristy of the church after it was found at the end of the 19th century by Father Chartrain, then parish priest, on the roof of his presbytery, in place of a tile. It is likely that it was thus protected from the pillaging of the Revolution. The steeple dates from the 19th century. It replaced a campanile. It was also in the 19th century that the stained glass windows, the Stations of the Cross and the baptismal font were installed. Generally made of stone, these are very original, since decorated in the Napoleon III style, the period of their manufacture, they are made of cast iron and undoubtedly a fine example of the industrial production of this time. The portal, typically Romanesque, is preceded by two steps in which an eight-pointed star and a cross are drawn. This is perhaps a summary of the life of Christ, from the Star of the Nativity to the Crucifixion. Several elements classified as Historic Monuments have been restored over the last few years, thanks to subsidies from the State and the Department of Sarthe, as well as the generosity of subscribers to the Fondation du Patrimoine. Thus, the remarkable tabernacle of the high altar in gilded wood. Painted in faux marble in the 18th century, it is one of the largest tabernacles preserved in Sarthe. The painting located just above, also superbly restored, and attributed to François Mongendre (1644-1690), represents Saint Germain d’Auxerre meeting Saint Geneviève as a child.

The church is composed of a bell tower grafted onto the side, the ground floor of which is vaulted with ribs, three of the bases supporting the fall of the arches having no decoration, the fourth being sculpted with a small fox's head. The stained glass windows are from 1866 and 1934-1942, five presenting an element of the heritage of the commune associated with a scene from the life of a Saint venerated in the parish, such as Saint Mathurin. The old presbytery from 1704 with openings with debarked lintels is attached to the church.

Saint-Pierre Church, from the mid-19th century (from 1856 or 1858).

The Chapitrel is the name given to the entrance gate. The period door is in the Renaissance style. This construction had several functions: It was reserved for catechumens who were not allowed to enter the church and served as a warehouse for farmers who sold at the market on Sunday mornings. The saddleback tower dates from 1545. It is 28 m high. It is square and has four levels. Each floor is separated by an external Roussard belt called a "larmier" which overhangs quite widely, preventing water from running off. At the top of the roof are two granite crosses, each topped with a copper weather vane representing a crowned dragon's head.

19th century Sainte-Madeleine Church, housing a painted panel (The Adoration of the Shepherds) from the 16th or 17th century classified as a Historic Monument

In the 13th century, a first church was built in the current Old Town, it was consecrated by Bishop Jean de Chanlay. The parish lordship, attached to the land and castle of Maleffre, belonged to the Paulmier du Bouillon house. Maleffre was a fortified castle, surrounded by moats. The parish owned several other fiefs such as Chevalerie and Bois Margot. The territory of Arçonnay extended to the river which constituted the boundary between the departments. The construction, by Abbot Drouin, of the current church in the hamlet of Saint-Blaise, was completed in 1848.