Discover the program of guided tours and activities offered in the Pays de Vitré during the 41st edition which will take place on Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22, 2024. This weekend, come and dive into the heart of the castle and its history for a timeless moment in Vitré in Ille-et-Vilaine.
Guided or delayed visit of the Castle of Vitré and free discovery of the Town Hall:
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©Vitré Community -ADT35 – Thibault Poriel
From the top of its schist promontory, the Château de Vitré offers you an exceptional view of the city. It is today one of the most beautiful witnesses of the fortifications of the Marches of Brittany, with drawbridge, arrow slits, battlements.
Stronghold and residence of the barons of Vitré in the Middle Ages, it was listed as a Historic Monument in 1872 and has housed a museum since the end of the XNUMXth century as well as the Town Hall (council and wedding rooms, Mayor's office).
During these heritage days, take part in trebuchet shooting sessions (continuous during opening hours).
Workshops of the Compaignons de Braëllo : introduction to the way of life in the time of Baron André III (c.1184 – 1250) with tableware or surveying techniques in the XNUMXth century (continuous during opening hours).
The visits « staggered » of the castle of Vitré : the unlikely encounter between a passionate tour guide and a somewhat crazy actor straight out of the Middle Ages promises you a funny and surprising walk through the history of the castle!
The visits commentary from the Château de Vitré : (Re)discover the history and architecture of the Château de Vitré, one of the most beautiful witnesses of the medieval fortifications of the Marches of Brittany, with drawbridge, arrow slits, battlements.
Stronghold and residence of the barons of Vitré, it was listed as a Historic Monument in 1872 and has housed a museum since the end of the XNUMXth century as well as the town hall (council and wedding rooms, Mayor's office).
The guided tours of the apothecary of the Château de Vitré: the oratory tower houses a remarkable XNUMXth century apothecary whose wooden furniture is specifically intended for the conservation in jars of medicinal plants, powders and other ointments used to make remedies.
Commented and quirky visit, practical information:
Le Vitré castle is open from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and 14 p.m. to 18 p.m. Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September.
The commented tours start at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 14 p.m. and 16 p.m.
Duration of the visit: 40 minutes.
and take place within the courtyard (and free from the rest of the monument).
The staggered visits are planned at 11 a.m., 15 p.m. and 17 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday) and last 1 hour.
Free, no gauge and without reservation.
Disabled access (castle courtyard).
The guided tours of the apothecary start at 10:20 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 14:20 p.m., 15:20 p.m., 16:20 p.m., and 17:20 p.m.
> Gauge limited to 19 people
> Reservation at the reception of the castle, the same day
European Heritage Days in Ille-et-Vilaine
For the 40th European Heritage and Heritage Days (Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September 2023) Rennes, Saint-Malo, Vitré and Fougères are joining forces to offer a common program of visits and entertainment.
A weekend full of discoveries awaits you throughout the department.
The (re)discovery of the House of World Cultures and the Benedictine priory in Vitré
Living heritage to look at, to visit… to experience!
On the program, the historical visit of the Benedictine priory and a behind the scenes dive of the House of World Cultures – French Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage
Guided tours Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September at 14 p.m., 15 p.m. and 16 p.m. Free access.
And also…
theexposure Unesco intangible cultural heritage in France, designed and produced by the France PCI association. To visit freely upstairs,
a small special library for Heritage Days
le film by Jacqueline Caux "They will always play with the wind", 63' (2022). In continuous projection upstairs. Free and free access,
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©Vitré Community-ADT35_PORIEL Thibault
Guided tours and ancient fencing at Madame de Sévigné's castle!
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The castle of Rochers-Sévigné ©crtb/Thibault Poriel
The JEPs at the Château de Madame de Sévigné
Appointment is made for the European Heritage Days on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m. at the Château de Madame de Sévigné in Vitré.
Located 6 km from the center of Vitré, this Gothic-style estate has belonged to the Sévigné family since 1410. Madame de Sévigné (1626-1696), a famous writer during the reign of Louis XIV, stayed there and wrote nearly 300 letters. She appreciated the adjoining woods, the chapel and the gardens, including the French one which was created in 1690 by the landscape gardener Le Notre.
> GUIDED TOURS from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. then from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
A visit commented by a guide of the Château des Rochers-Sévigné site (and free of the garden).
1 departure every hour (start at 10:15 a.m. and end at 17:15 p.m.)
Duration: 45 minutes.
> READING OF NEW LETTERS
Letters from Emilie des Nétumières on daily life at the Château des Rochers at the end of the 18th century.
Saturday 16 September, at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 15 p.m., 16 p.m. and 17 p.m.
Duration: 20 minutes
> GUIDED TOURS OF THE NORTH-WEST TOWER:
1 departure every half hour (start at 10:30 a.m. and last departure at 17:30 p.m.)
Duration: 20 min.
> THEATER PERFORMANCES
By the company Les Lames de Sévigné on Sunday September 17 at 11:45 a.m., 14:45 p.m. and 16:45 p.m.
Theatrical performances and demonstrations of ancient 17th century fencing.
Duration of the performance: 30 minutes
On the foundations of a Romanesque church founded in the XNUMXth century by Baron Robert I, the Notre-Dame church was rebuilt from the middle of the XNUMXth century. Built in a flamboyant Gothic style, the south-east façade retains its exterior preaching pulpit, of which few examples still exist. Affixing their marks to the walls and decorations of the church, the Overseas merchants, wealthy cloth merchants emblematic of the city, made it the reflection of their prosperity.
Visit of the Notre-Dame Church, practical information:
Slot every 45 minutes for visiting the church, Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17 from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Duration of the visit: 35 minutes.
Disabled persons access
Self-guided and guided visits to Domaine du Bois Cornillé in Val d'Izé, and carriage rides!
> Self-guided tour of the gardens: free from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
You will first have the opportunity to discover the Parc du Domaine. During your walk, in the vast domain, particularly well preserved and maintained, labeled Remarkable Garden, you will appreciate the troubadour spirit of the castle, the delicate perspectives of the gardens, the crossroads in the middle of the box trees and the forests, the calm of the walled pond.
> Guided tour by the owner: €5 per person.
When the landscape becomes a garden, when the garden becomes a landscape. With the owner you will discover the estate, its history and aesthetic care.
> CARRIAGE RIDES on Sunday from 14:30 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Get in the carriage and discover the park and its bridle paths to the rhythm of the horses: at a walk, at a trot and for the more daring, a little gallop!
Practical information for visiting Bois Cornillé:
The opening hours for self-guided tours gardens: 10 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Departure of guided tours : Saturday at 15 p.m.
Sunday at 11 a.m., 14:30 p.m. and 16:30 p.m.
Prices: Adult €5 – Accompanied children under 18: free
60 people maximum per slot
Book online
Themed tours of the town center "The tradition of hospitality in La Guerche-de-Bretagne from the XNUMXth century to today"
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©Vitré Community – ADT35 – Mathieu Le Gall
Exhibition
Appointment is made for the European Heritage Days on Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17 for an exhibition The lodging and table of yesteryear…
Exhibition of old postcards and photographs on the theme of cafes,
bars, inns, restaurants of the town of yesterday.
Exhibition visible from September 09 to 30, 2023, during the opening hours of the media library.
Date and times: JEP weekend special from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 14 p.m. to 17 p.m., free entry
(without reservation).
Organized by the La Salorge Media Library in partnership with Jean-Luc DAVID, Yves
TÉHARD and Marc TROUESSARD, Amateur collectors.
Thematic visits
Appointment is made for the European Heritage Days on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September for a guided tour of La Guerche-de-Bretagne.
Thematic tours of the city center
The tradition of welcome at La Guerche de Bretagne from the XNUMXth century to today. This tradition
reception will be linked to the presence of the thousand-year-old market and part of the intangible heritage of the municipality.
Visiting times: Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 16 p.m. and Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Visits offered by Jacques Guiffault and Michel Le Guen.
Reservation required with the ILO on Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. on 02 99 96 30 78, or at the La Salorge media library 02 99 96 22 20 jeplaguerche@gmail.com at the BIT (on site) on Saturday September 16
Organized by Animations et culture
Guided tour of Espinay Castle in Champeaux
Discover the history and architecture of Espinay Castle, built in part during the Renaissance by the Espinay family, which of Franco-Breton nobility, held important positions at the ducal and then royal court.
You can also discover the great room and its monumental fireplace, a jewel of the Renaissance in Brittany with the extension of the visit dedicated to the interiors.
Practical information for visiting the Château de l'Espinay:
> FREE VISIT to the exteriors: duration of the visit: 1 hour, and Access for people with reduced mobility (from the exteriors).
> GUIDED TOUR of the interiors by the owner
Reservation on site for the guided tour within the limit of the number of authorized visitors.
Duration of the visit : 30 to 40 minutes
Capacity: 30 people maximum for interiors.
Reservations and payment: on site.
Free visit of the Sainte-Marie-Madeleine collegiate church and the Place du Cloître in Champeaux
Before or after visiting the Château de l'Espinay, discover the Collegiate Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine and its old cloister built at the request of the lords.
Recently restored, this building listed as a Historical monuments, is one of the jewels of the Renaissance in Brittany, as much for its architecture as for its remarkable furniture.
8 kilometers northwest of Vitré, Champaux is a charming town, in the heart of the Haut-Breton bocage.
Practical information
Opening of the collegiate church from 9 a.m. to 17 p.m.. Access and free visit.
> Access for people with reduced mobility (outdoors).
