Dourdan: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

Dourdan combines ecclesiastical architectural heritage, impressive historic architecture and the natural surroundings of the Forêt de Liffré. Between artistic details, preserved buildings and a species-rich forest, a diverse local landscape emerges.

Culture and history

The parish dedicated to Saint Peter has been documented since the 12th century; its church was rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries. Saint-Pierre Church preserves a portal from the late 15th or early 16th century bearing the coat of arms of the Montbourcher family, as well as remains of the sacristy attached to the choir. There are also 11 stained-glass windows, made between 1882 and 1884 by the Lecomte and Collin workshops in Rennes.

The chapel of La Giolais is a small building with a flat-ended apse and a bell turret. It was restored in the 19th century, including the openings with their brick surrounds. Today it is dedicated to Notre-Dame des Sept-Douleurs and continues to be maintained by local parishioners. On 12 May 1743, the construction of the chapel was approved; it was intended to serve as a station for religious processions.

Le Plessis-Pillet has been the residence of the lords of Châteaubourg since the 15th century. The surviving gatehouse can be dated to the second half of the 16th century. Its sandstone façade is decorated with slate bands, medallions and gables; a niche above the portal is flanked by two Ionic pilasters. The gatehouse also has a cornice, an upper-storey window and a dormer with two cherubs, as well as an imperial roof. These features are considered exceptional for this type of building.

Nature

The ZNIEFF Forêt de Liffré, a type 2 natural area, also includes the commune of Dourdain. The Forêt de Liffré consists mainly of oak and beech forest, with some plots planted with conifers, and displays remarkable floristic diversity. Human activities associated with the natural area include tourism and leisure.

Local information

The BreizhGo network serves the centre of Dourdain; the stop is located at Place de l'Église.

Other places

Discover other places at Argentré-Du-Plessis, Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier, Goven, La Ville-Ès-Nonais, Le Tronchet, Sougéal, Crevin and Saint-Thurial.

To the overarching travel overview: Ille-Et-Vilaine.