Starting in the village of Corzé, this easy trail takes in the old Corzé railway line and the banks of the River Loir as it winds its way through Anjou.
A family trail with a flat profile, mainly on paths.
Starting from the sports hall car park in Daumeray, you will have to cross the D859 to get to the heart of this quiet village on the banks of the Loir. Corzé has retained all its rural village charm.
The church of Saint-Germain, decorated in the antique style and rebuilt in the early 20th century, retains its 10th-century slate-covered bell tower. The chancel dates from the 18th century, as does its antique decoration: wood panelling, choir stalls and terracotta statues set in niches between the windows.
In the chapels of the transept, to the south, an 18th-century terracotta statue of Saint-Avertin, and to the north, the recently restored 16th-century wooden and tufa statues of Saint-Claude and Saint-Germain reveal their polychrome decoration. The Virgin Chapel features 18th-century terracotta statues of Saint Joseph and Saint Francis of Assisi.
The route then follows the old railway line. The Angers-la Flèche-Sablé line was opened in 1887. It was used to transport people and goods (fruit grown in the area, flour from the mill, etc.). The station serving Corzé was at Villevêque. The development of the car accelerated the decline of rail transport, and the line ceased operations in 1951. Since then, the old railway line has been used for walking.
Discover the charm and tranquillity of the banks of the River Loir, accessible throughout the commune, and the woodlands bordering the commune to the south-east, which invite you to take a stroll. This flat, peaceful landscape is typical of the Basses Vallées Angevines, a vast area bathed by the rivers Sarthe, Loir, Mayenne and Maine. The Basses Vallées Angevines are home to exceptional flora and fauna, which should be respected and protected.
You then arrive at the main mill, which preceded the present-day Moulin de la Motte and was in operation as early as the 12th century. It had up to 4 wheels. It was mainly used to grind grain.
The role of the mill was to crush the wheat to separate the flour from the "issues", i.e. the coarse bran, the fine bran and the remoulages. Later, in the 19th century, it was also used for tan and hemp. In 1480, La Motte de Corzé became a seigneury. A former noble residence, the manor was known as the Corzé mill in 1786. The Motte mill was twinned with a windmill, which took over when flooding prevented the Motte mill from operating.
Please note: When the Loir floods, the path along the Loir is no longer accessible. Before setting off, check with Corzé Town Hall (02 41 18 56 30).
- Toilets at the town hall.
- Picnic tables in Corzé: on the path along the Loir and before the Moulin de la Motte.
- Restaurant in Corzé
- Public transport: Coaches: information about Angers bus station
(02 41 36 29 46)
