Day Out to Poncé Sur Le Loir
On Saturday 30 May 2026 at 10:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs
The village of Poncé sur Le Loir was established between the 10th and 13th centuries around a castle and church. Lord of Chambray undertook the construction of the present-day castle in the 16th century. The River Loir was used as a waterway to trade the village’s produce, including cereals, hemp and quarried building stone. In the 18th century, Elie Savatier set up mills and a paper mill in Paillard, on the banks of the Loir, providing work for the local population and bringing prosperity to Poncé. Over the course of two centuries, the village expanded along the Rue Principale.
Tour 1 at 10:00 hr, cost €6.50 per person: The Château de Poncé was built between 1530 and 1542 and has been a listed Historic Monument since 1928. This Renaissance-style building consists of two wings flanking a central tower. Inside the central tower is an Italian-style staircase adorned with 162 carved panels. The entrance to the château is via the 18th-century outbuildings, leading to a 16th-century dovecote whose interior layout remains intact. The tour ends in a 16th-century garden featuring a maze of hornbeam hedges and a listed 300-year-old plane tree.
Picnic at 12:00 hr to 14:00 hr: In the garden at Les Moulins de Paillard located on the banks of the Loir which, hosts a large number of plant species within its natural spaces and its vegetated spaces. Moulins de Paillard are home to a diverse plant heritage, rich in local plants known as resource plants with high potential for our health and used in food. There is an undercover area in the event of extreme heat or rain and toilet facilities. There is also a car park next to the picnic area. You may want to bring some picnic chairs/small table.
For the picnic please bring something to share and the association will provide the drinks.
Tour 2 at 14:30 hr, free: Les Moulins de Paillard Exhibition of the French writer, photographer and documentary/film director Chris Marker (1921-2012). Famous for the films ‘Third Side of the Coin’ (1960), ‘Sans Soleil’ (1983) and La Jetée (1962), which the Bruce Willis film ‘The 12 Monkeys’ (1995) was based on.
If you do not like either of the arranged tours or only want to participate in one of the tours, then there are two other places of interest in the village you may want to visit.
St Julien Church which was built from the 11th century onwards in the Romanesque style. The church of Poncé was dedicated to Saint Julian, the first Bishop of Le Mans. The church is renowned for its 12th-century Byzantine-style murals, which are exceptionally well preserved. The church of Poncé was listed as a Historic Monument in 1891, whilst the frescoes were listed in 1928. These frescoes depict scenes from the life of Christ in chronological order. More than mere decoration, these works served as a means of teaching the Bible to the faithful in medieval times.
The Verrerie d’Art des Côteaux, a shop and creative workshop. Before your eyes, Nicolas Pinquier carries on the age-old craft of glassblowing and will share his passion with you. Open on Saturdays 09:00 hrs to 12:00 hrs and 14:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs.
Please meet at the start of the day in the Château Car Park NO LATER THAN 09:50 hrs.
If you intend to participate in this event, please email afam.lemans72@gmail.com by no later than Wednesday 27 May 2026 with the following information: Which tour(s) you wish to attend? If you need transport from Le Mans to Poncé and back.
