Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei
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Bridge over the River Sarthe
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 Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei
Location in France
Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei
Location in Normandy
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| Country | France |
| Region | Normandy |
| Department | Orne |
| Arrondissement | Alençon |
| Canton | Damigny |
| Intercommunality | CU Alençon |
| Area
1
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3.86 km2 (1.49 sq mi) |
| Population
(2022)
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112 |
| • Density | 29.02/km2 (75.1/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code |
61372 /61250
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| Elevation | 115–193 m (377–633 ft) (avg. 120 m or 390 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei is a small village, also called a commune, located in the Orne department in north-western France. It sits right on the Sarthe River, about 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Alençon, which is the main city of the department. It's also about 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of Paris. This village is special because it's known as one of the "Petites Cités de Caractère" (Small Towns of Character), meaning it has a unique charm and history.
Contents
History
How Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei Got Its Name
The village is named after a man called Serenicus, or Saint Céneri. He was an Italian monk who lived here in the 7th century. Legend says that after a long journey, Saint Céneri was very thirsty. He prayed for water, and a miracle happened: a spring of water appeared! This spring is still there today, covered by a small stone shelter. People used to believe that the water from this spring could help cure eye problems.
After Saint Céneri died, a monastery was built in his honor. Sadly, Vikings destroyed this monastery in the year 903. Later, the church in the village became connected to the abbey of Saint-Evroult-en-Ouche.
The second part of the village's name, "le-Gérei", comes from a person named William Giroie. He built a castle here in 1044. Today, only parts of the castle walls remain. In 1060, the castle was attacked by Duke William II of Normandy, who later became King William I of England. His son, Robert Curthose, took control of the castle in 1088.
Battles and Artists
During the Hundred Years' War, a brave knight named Ambroise de Loré successfully defended the village's stronghold. He protected it from the English King Henry V and later from his brother John Plantagenet until 1434.
Since the 19th century, the beautiful scenery of Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei has attracted many artists. The village is nestled in a wooded bend of the River Sarthe, which makes it very picturesque. Famous painters like Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Gustave Courbet, and Henri Harpignies were inspired by its beauty.
The village became very popular with artists. The Auberge des Sœurs Moisy, a hotel run by the Moisy sisters, became a special place for artists to stay. Between 1875 and 1908, many Impressionist painters visited this inn. Today, this old inn is an art museum called the Auberge Des Souers Moisy Museum.
The Room of the Beheaded
One of the most interesting parts of the museum is the "Salle des Décapités," which means "Room of the Beheaded." This room is decorated with many black, silhouette drawings of people's heads.
Pierre Renard, whose mother Mary Renard was an artist, explained how these profiles were made. At night, someone would stand next to a white wall. Another person would hold a candle to create a shadow of their profile. Then, a painter would trace the outline of the shadow with charcoal and fill it in with black paint. This way, many artists and friends who visited the inn left their profiles behind. Pierre Renard even said his own child profile was there twice!
The village still celebrates its artistic heritage. Every year, there is a festival that honors the painters who came to or lived in Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei.
Geography
Location and Nature
Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei is located in the Orne department, which is part of the Normandy region. It's found in an area called the Mancelles Alps, right in the middle of the Normandy-Maine Regional Nature Park.
The village is also part of three Natura 2000 conservation sites. These are special areas protected for their important natural habitats and species. The sites shared with nearby villages are the Alpes Mancelles, the Haute vallée de la Sarthe, and the Vallée du Sarthon et affluents.
Exploring the Outdoors
A cool fact about the historic stone bridge in Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei is that it marks the border between Normandy and the neighboring region of Pays de la Loire. You can see a large metal screw fixed in the stone railing that shows this boundary.
The area around Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei is perfect for nature lovers and people who enjoy outdoor activities. It has beautiful wooded hills, rocky cliffs, deep river valleys, and fields separated by hedgerows. Visitors come to enjoy the park's beauty and try activities like hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking, and fishing.
You can even climb to the top of Mont de Avaloirs, which is the highest point in the region. Even though it's only 416 meters (1,365 feet) high, it offers amazing views of the surrounding area. The village also has a 10-kilometer (6-mile) walking trail that starts there. You can get information about it at the village's tourist office.
Architecture
Historic Buildings
Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei is a very scenic village with many old stone houses along its winding streets. A beautiful four-arched historic stone bridge crosses the River Sarthe.
High above the river, there's an 11th-century Romanesque church. Inside, you can see large frescoes, which are paintings done on wet plaster. These frescoes were painted in the 12th and 14th centuries. Interestingly, they were covered with plaster in the 17th century. This actually helped keep them safe and preserved them for about 200 years until they were rediscovered!
Near the Sarthe River, in a large meadow, stands a 15th-century medieval stone chapel. People believe that the first wooden version of this chapel was built by Saint Céneri himself. Inside the chapel, there is a statue of Saint-Céneri, and some people believe that various miracles have happened because of it.
Economy
The main way Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei makes money is through tourism. The village is officially recognized as one of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" ("France's Most Beautiful Villages"). This special title attracts many visitors, who come to enjoy its beauty, history, and peaceful atmosphere.
Places to See
Gardens and Heritage Sites
- Jardins de la Mansonière is a lovely garden that is open for people to visit and enjoy.
Important Historical Sites
The village has four buildings and areas that are listed as Monument historique. This means they are very important national heritage sites.
- Saint-Céneri Chapel is a chapel from the 15th century located in Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei.
- The former Moisy Inn was an inn from the 18th century. It was a popular spot for many artists, including Mary Renard and Paul Saïn.
- Church of Saint-Céneri-le-Gerei is an old church from the 11th century.
- The former Legangeux hotel was a hotel from the 19th century. It has several paintings by artists who visited there. This former hotel is now a museum.
Getting There
Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei is easy to reach, as it's located within 10 to 15 kilometers (6 to 9 miles) of two major roads. These are the A28 motorway, which connects cities like Abbeville to Tours, and the N12 trunk road, which goes from Paris to Rennes and Brest.
Images for kids
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Bridge over the River Sarthe
See also
In Spanish: Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei para niños
- Communes of the Orne department
- Parc naturel régional Normandie-Maine
