Saint-Aubin-de-Locquenay is a commune (municipality) in France, located in the Sarthe department in the Pays de la Loire region in north-western France. It is part of the historical province of Maine.
Administrative details
The commune belongs to the arrondissement of Mamers and the canton of Sillé-le-Guillaume. It is part of the intercommunality Haute Sarthe Alpes Mancelles. Its INSEE code is 72266 and its postal code is 72130. The current mayor is Frédéric Cosson, who has served since 2014 and was re-elected for the 2026–2032 term.
Geography
Saint-Aubin-de-Locquenay is situated in the north-west of the Sarthe department, approximately 1.8 km from Fresnay-sur-Sarthe, about 20 km south of Alençon, and roughly 40 km north of Le Mans. The commune covers an area of approximately 17.31 km², with elevations ranging from 65 to 196 meters. The Sarthe river passes through the commune. It is classified as a rural commune with dispersed habitation and belongs to the urban unit of Fresnay-sur-Sarthe.
Demographics
The inhabitants are called Saint-Aubinois. As of 2023, the commune had a population of 761, representing an increase of 10.29% compared to 2017. The population has fluctuated over time, from a high of 1,267 in 1836 to a low of 584 in 1931, with a gradual recovery in recent decades.
History and heritage
The commune's name references Saint Aubin of Angers, and the local church is dedicated to him. The church was rebuilt between 1849 and 1858 by the parish, the municipality, and the Count of Perrochel, and is constructed primarily in "grès roussard" (a local reddish sandstone), on the foundations of a 9th-century priory.
The Château de Perrochel is listed as a historic monument (inscrit au titre des monuments historiques) since 1974.
Notable figures
Auguste-Armand de Caumont, 13th Duke of La Force (1878–1961), a historian and member of the Académie française, is associated with the commune. Henri-Jacques de Caumont La Force, 14th Duke of La Force, served as mayor of the commune from 1977 to 2014.
Local events
The commune organizes an annual bric-à-brac (flea market) and a "soirée normande" in August. In August 2019, it hosted a comice agricole (agricultural show).
Education
The local primary and nursery school operates through an intercommunal school syndicate (SIVOS) shared with the communes of Montreuil-le-Chétif and Moitron-sur-Sarthe.
