Sentier de randonnée pédestre "Itinéraire d'un briquetier"

On this walking tour starting from Montigné-les-Rairies in Anjou, you'll discover the clay quarries used by the perreyeux of Les Rairies, which are still used today to produce tiles and pottery.

A flat walking route alternating between forest paths and tarmac roads. Suitable for occasional walkers.
Les Rairies, a terracotta tradition! The commune of Les Rairies was once one of the major centres of the terracotta industry in France, with over 60 brickworks at its peak! From the 14th century onwards, the town developed an economic activity based on the production of tiles and pottery. Les Rairies stone, used for baking and building, made the village famous from the Middle Ages until the middle of the 20th century. In the 19th century, the village of Les Rairies had around fifty kilns in operation and as many drying barns with typical hollow tile roofs. The development of these industries and their concentration on a single site was due to the proximity of the raw material, clay, in the Chambiers forest. Quarries are still active here today, and traditional terracotta production continues with the only brickmaker still in business.

Toilets at Les Rairies to the right of the church and at the Chambiers forest car park, route de Beauvau in Durtal.
Picnic tables:
- Chambiers forest car park, Durtal
- Along the Loir at the old port in Les Rairies
Food shops in Montigné-les-Rairies and Les Rairies
Restaurant in Montigné-les-Rairies
Public transport :
- Bus: information about Angers bus station
(02 41 36 29 46)