Crissay - Valley of the Manse

Heritage and history

River and stream

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Crissay-sur-Manse, a charming village classified as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”, invites you to discover its harmonious architectural heritage, overlooking the tranquil landscapes bordered by the verdant Manse valley.

Enjoy a peaceful hike through picturesque paths lined with greenery, where each step reveals the village's historical past and captivating views.

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TopoguideChemin_de_randonnee_Crissay_sur_Manse_11701
Credit: Topoguide Vallée de la Manse
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Description

From the parking lot, take the Puits Auger alleyway, near which one of the 4 gateways to the walled village was built.
Walk down to the church of Saint-Maurice, built by the Turpin de Crissé lords in the 16th century on the ruins of a Romanesque church.
Walk along the cemetery, where you'll find a stone cross dating from the late 15th century, and make a detour to the wash-house along the banks of the Manse.
From the path, past the Grand Moulin, you come to the château, a vast complex comprising several buildings from different periods: the remains of the Logis Neuf on the left, and the château Communs, now restored, on the right.
At the village entrance, turn left into rue du château to reach the village square, dominated by magnificent Renaissance dwellings. Turn left out of the village and follow the signposted path through the hamlets of Le Puy Renault, Les Rageaux and Le Puy aux Boeufs.
Passing through Les Vallées, where a succession of troglodytic caves have been built into the hillside, head for the valley of the Maugonne stream, dominated by La Boisselière, a 16th-century residence. An elegant corner turret and eleven rows of bolts pierced for pigeon nesting adorn the façade.
The trail passes through the hamlet of Les Trois Croix in the commune of Neuil, then through the woods of La Feuillouse in the commune of Saint-Epain.
Once you've passed the hamlet of Maugonne, you'll admire the view over the poplar-lined Manse valley, with the village of Crissay on your right, silhouetted against the hillside.
Descend to the bottom of the valley, with a detour to La Fontaine, a 19th-century uncovered washhouse with a basin fed by a spring.
Return to the bottom of the village via the Grande Croix.

Departure : Parking lot by the village's entrance
Arrival : Parking lot by the village's entrance
Towns crossed : Crissay-sur-Manse, Saint-Épain, and Neuil