Looking for a vantage point to admire the sunset or simply to contemplate the Mayenne countryside? We have “The SPOT” for crazy Sunsets, the Montaigu in Hambers in Mayenne!
Hike and gain height to admire the Mayenne landscape!
Located at an altitude of 291m, Montaigu hill is one of the highest hills in the Coëvrons in the east of the Mayenne department.
Not far from the town of Évron, it is easy to access by car or camper van, thanks to its mid-height parking, but also by numerous hiking trails accessible on foot, by mountain bike, and even on horseback.
You're not a big hiker, but you enjoy beautiful scenery. No worries! Once parked in the parking lot, a short 5-6 minute walk will take you to the summit and enjoy the breathtaking view.
A little tip, plan a picnic or just a snack and take the time to sit on the picnic table to take a break facing the panorama.
A chapel directly linked to Mont-Saint-Michel
The highest point of this panoramic site is a small chapel and a hermitage (now in ruins) at the summit. Built in 1402, the site is a place of pilgrimage dedicated to Saint Michael.
Since the 12th century, pilgrims coming from Tours and heading for Mont-Saint-Michel have crossed the Mayenne by taking the " Grand Chemin Montais » today marked by the GR®365.
Since then, Montaigu has become an essential place of pilgrimage in Mayenne.
The Legend of the Archangel Saint Michael and the Devil
It is said that the Devil wanted to reconquer the paradise from which he had been banished by Saint Michael himself. He set out to find a way to get closer to heaven. He began to erect a mountain of earth and stones from which he could reach the sky to seize it by surprise. One day, he climbed the hill under construction and saw in the distance the sea and a magnificent white tower pointing towards the heavens and much higher than the hill. Determined to make it his own, he rushed to see it to climb to the top, but it was there that he saw the silhouette of Saint Michael. The latter, seeing the envious Devil, offered him an exchange, the Devil hastened to take possession of Mont-Saint-Michel, not noticing that he was sinking into the sands. In rage and shame, he returned to the depths of hell. Saint Michael, for his part, flew from Montaigu to the heavens. It is said that the chapel was built on the exact spot where the Archangel left earth to reach heaven.
