Parne Sur Roc D.vernier Petites Cites De Caractère — ©D.vernier

Parné-Sur-Roc

Petite Cité de Caractère in Mayenne

Parné-Sur-Roc: a journey through the centuries

Nestled on a hillside, Parné-sur-Roc is a Petite Cité de Caractère where every stone tells a story.
Ideally located for exploring the Roman road leading to Entrammes, or for admiring the rolling countryside, Parné-sur-Roc is a place of authenticity and diverse heritage. A place where history and nature blend harmoniously.

In the footsteps of Parné-sur-Roc

A captivating walk through history and heritage

Immerse yourself in the history of Parné-sur-Roc, which dates back to Gallo-Roman times. The village takes its name from Patriniascus, owner of an agricultural villa spotted during aerial surveys in 1976. With the advent of Christianity, a first chapel was built on the estate, heralding the birth of today’s church.

Parne Sur Roc Pascal Beltrami Laval Tourism — ©Pascal Beltrami - Laval Tourism

A bell tower at the top and a charming legend

The church of Parné-sur-Roc awaits you with its majestic 12th-century bell tower-porch, unique in Mayenne. Its stone roof has inspired a humorous local saying: “There are as many beautiful girls in Parné as there are slates on its roof!” A promise to be verified as you climb its narrow streets…

A plunge into sacred art

Inside the church, watch a short film recounting the history of the village before discovering the nave, the oldest part of the building dating from the 11th century. Admire the 16th-century frescoes: Notre-Dame des Sept Douleurs, Saint-Jérôme and Saint-Crépin and Saint-Crépinien making shoes. You’ll also be surprised by a humorous scene in which Saint-Martin confronts two talkative women… under the watchful eye of the devil!

Eglise Parne Sur Roc - Pascal Beltrami Laval Tourisme — ©Pascal Beltrami - Laval Tourism|PASCAL_BELTRAMI

Village charm

On your way out, explore the treasures of Parné. The house with two turrets, a fusion of two 18th-century mansions, is intriguingly elegant. Walk up the Grande Rue and observe the weavers’ houses with their characteristic window wells. At the end, a 19th-century brick house catches the eye, as do lime kilns and modest workers’ cottages, witnesses to a lively industrial past.

A medieval bridge and a bucolic escapade

Head for rue du Val d’Ouette, where a medieval bridge spans the river. This path, once used to reach Laval and Mont-Saint-Michel, embodies the historic soul of Parné-sur-Roc.

An overview

Finish your walk by climbing the Cour Forêt rockery. At the top, the Maison Faucheux, with its brick facade, stands proudly as a nod to the village’s emblematic buildings.

Parné-sur-Roc promises a discovery full of surprises, from heritage to nature and tasty anecdotes. An unmissable detour for lovers of history and authentic charm.

Petite cité de caractère

Parné-sur-Roc, classified as a “Petite Cité de Caractère”, has a charming, well-preserved heritage. With its thousand-year-old church, unique bell tower, cobbled streets and weavers’ houses, the village invites you to take a trip back in time. An authentic getaway where history and nature meet!