Sentier de randonnée pédestre "dans les pas de Rouget-le-Braconnier

Go for a walk in Daumeray, along the orchards and in the heart of the Grip woods, where you can follow in the footsteps of the famous poacher Rouget, who used these paths on a daily basis.

A flat walking route, mainly on paths.
More than half the route is on forest tracks. Suitable for occasional walkers.

Starting from the sports hall car park in Daumeray, cross the D859 to immerse yourself in the historic streets of the village.

Discover the church of Saint-Martin and the former 19th-century imperial police station.

Then head towards Morannes and drive around the property of the former Prieuré Saint-Martin, also known as the Abbey. See the Renaissance façade, founded in the 10th century by the monks of Marmoutier. Drive along the woodland, then through fruit fields and orchards.

Towards Notre-Dame-du-Pé, a new panorama unfolds before you, with the Bois du Grip as far as the eye can see, then take a sunken lane to reach La Gilotière. At the edge of the lane, at a place called La Demenerie, you can see the well covered in vegetation and the old foundations of Louis Rouget's house.

The small, shady path that follows was often used by Rouget as he fled from the gendarmes on his heels, and runs through peaceful undergrowth, where the many footprints on this long dirt track bear witness to the frequent passage of wild animals.

We're on the edge of the Sarthe département, on the border between the communes of Daumeray, Notre-Dame-du-Pé and Durtal. Take this wide forest track, skirting the Le Rodiveau stream and crossing the Bois du Grip. At a place called "Le Plessis", you'll see an 18th-century mansion, then head for the village of Saint-Germain.

This is where Rouget was married in 1848. Nothing seems to have changed in this village since the nave of the church was completed before the Revolution.

Toilets in Daumeray, to the left of the town hall, at 25 rue de la Fraternité
Picnic tables in Daumeray: Parc de la salle des fêtes and at the service station

All food shops and the Fraternity restaurant in Daumeray town centre

Public transport :
- Morannes train station (6 km)
- Bus: information about Angers bus station (02 41 36 29 46)

Every year in January and February, come and see the famous theatrical show "ROUGET LE BRACONNIER".
Every winter since 1971, Daumeray's volunteer amateur theatre company has performed a play recounting the turbulent life of Louis Rouget, known as "Rouget the Poacher".
For the past fifty years, the actors have been performing to enthusiastic audiences, selling out every performance. The village of Daumeray, proud of its long theatrical tradition, ensures that the true face of its hero, Rouget the Poacher, lives on in the collective memory.