Les Rairies: Holiday apartments and houses

Culture

In Les Rairies, the Briqueterie Le Croc is a protected historic production site built at the beginning of the 19th century. It comprises two long kilns, two drying sheds and a well area; it was listed by decree of 11 April 1995.

The history of local brickmaking is also reflected in the figures from the last century: at that time, Les Rairies had around fifty active updraught kilns and approximately as many drying sheds or drying barns with characteristic roofs made of curved tiles.

The Yvon Cailleau workshops and Atelier Le Croc produce their terracotta on site using traditional methods. For this purpose, they use exclusively wood-fired kilns dating from 1758, 1782 and 1836, preserving Yvon Cailleau’s authentic “carreau des Rairies”. Rairies Montrieux produces terracotta from sand and clay; the natural raw materials are extracted from local quarries. For the manufacture of bricks and roof tiles, Rairies Montrieux has been drawing on the clay pits of Anjou for seven generations. Since 2006, the company has held the “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (EPV) label. During a visit to the Rairies Montrieux brickworks, visitors can discover traditional techniques, old tools and handmade tiles.

In Chalou, the Chapel of Saint Philippe and Saint Jacques dates from the 14th century and is built from the limestone known as “pierre des Rairies”. There is also a weir on the Loir, with an old lock gate or rack structure and a paddle wheel. The church of Les Rairies was built in the 19th century, following the division of the villages of Montigné-les-Rairies and Les Rairies, from the Rairies stone typical of the area.

Renting a holiday apartment in Les Rairies can complement travel planning around the local brickworks, walking trails and destinations in the surrounding area.

Nature and trails

The municipality refers to numerous walking trails in the Chambiers Forest. The “Itinéraire d'un briquetier” walking trail from Montigné-les-Rairies leads to clay pits that were exploited by the “perreyeux des Rairies” and continue to support the production of bricks, tiles and pottery. The route is flat, combines forest tracks with paved paths and is also suitable for occasional walkers.

The 23-kilometre “Boucle vélo des terres cuites” cycle loop describes a route through orchards, forests, marshland and a village of brickmakers. It follows shared roads and greenways and partly uses the “Vallée du Loir à Vélo” cycle route (V47).

Activities and events

The “Les Chevaux de la Rosière” equestrian centre offers riding activities for people with intellectual, physical, sensory or psychological disabilities, as well as for people experiencing social difficulties. From its base in Les Rairies, the centre also offers hacks and one-day horse-riding trips in the Chambiers Forest. The municipality lists the Hippodrome des Rairies as the local racecourse for those interested in horse racing.

Les Rairies is home to the Boule-de-Fort societies “L'Union” and “Le Cercle Saint-Georges”. Every year, the “Les Rairies Rock's” festival is held in the centre of Les Rairies by the municipality and Les Rairies Festif.

Surrounding area

The area around Les Rairies is home to the Château des Carmes and the Château de Baugé. Further afield in the region are the Château de Malicorne-sur-Sarthe and Echarbot Castle.

Other destinations: Sainte-Gemmes-d'Andigné, Brissac-Quincé, La Chapelle-Sur-Oudon, Chazé-Henry, Morannes, Gesté, Les Ulmes, La Ménitré

More about Maine-Et-Loire.