Bagnoles de l'Orne. Nearby spa town known for its waters and excellent selection of restaurants
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The Café de Paris and Casino overlooking the lake at Bagnoles de l'Orne
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Bagnoles de l’Orne
This elegant spa town is renowned for its waters (Les Thermes) and people come from all over France for its healing properties. It is also a gastronomic centre and has at least 16 restaurants listed on TripAdvisor though there are more. There is a large tourist information centre and the town prides itself on having activities throughout the year. Have a long lunch then walk around the lake, past the casino and up to the Hotel de Ville (town hall) which is a converted chateau in beautiful grounds. There are also walks through the woods at the edge of the town ideal for wildlife and bird watching. There is also the velorail which uses the old railway line running from Bagnoles to Briouze. Great fun for the kids – have a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f5RWM4EaIg
This elegant spa town is renowned for its waters (Les Thermes) and people come from all over France for its healing properties. It is also a gastronomic centre and has at least 16 restaurants listed on TripAdvisor though there are more. There is a large tourist information centre and the town prides itself on having activities throughout the year. Have a long lunch then walk around the lake, past the casino and up to the Hotel de Ville (town hall) which is a converted chateau in beautiful grounds. There are also walks through the woods at the edge of the town ideal for wildlife and bird watching. There is also the velorail which uses the old railway line running from Bagnoles to Briouze. Great fun for the kids – have a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f5RWM4EaIg
Le St. Aignan - amazing value restaurant nearby
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Le Cheval Blanc - another amazing value restaurant, also nearby
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Cycling / walking / great value lunches
Talking of lunches, if you want to go to the other extreme and have an excellent, value for money, working man’s (and woman’s) lunch we can recommend the following:-
Le St. Aignan at St. Aignan de Couptrain. Currently offering a 4 course lunch for around 11.00€ which includes cider and wine. Thierry is the chef and his wife Nadine who waits on table speaks excellent English. By car, only 10 minutes. However it is only 8km away so either borrow a bicycle (a leisurely 35 to 40 mins) or go on foot through the quiet country lanes (about 1 hour 15 minutes).
Le Cheval Blanc, La Chapelle-d’Andaines. Currently offering a 4 course lunch again for around 11.00€, also including drinks. Terrific value and very popular with the locals. It is a bit further at 13km but well worth a visit.
These are just a sample of what we have around here - there are many more for your delectation!
Talking of lunches, if you want to go to the other extreme and have an excellent, value for money, working man’s (and woman’s) lunch we can recommend the following:-
Le St. Aignan at St. Aignan de Couptrain. Currently offering a 4 course lunch for around 11.00€ which includes cider and wine. Thierry is the chef and his wife Nadine who waits on table speaks excellent English. By car, only 10 minutes. However it is only 8km away so either borrow a bicycle (a leisurely 35 to 40 mins) or go on foot through the quiet country lanes (about 1 hour 15 minutes).
Le Cheval Blanc, La Chapelle-d’Andaines. Currently offering a 4 course lunch again for around 11.00€, also including drinks. Terrific value and very popular with the locals. It is a bit further at 13km but well worth a visit.
These are just a sample of what we have around here - there are many more for your delectation!
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Eco-Musée, Madré
The local ecomuseum gives a history of farming in France from way back when. Tour guides are in French but you can clearly see how farming was undertaken before the advent of the tractor and other modern implements.
The local ecomuseum gives a history of farming in France from way back when. Tour guides are in French but you can clearly see how farming was undertaken before the advent of the tractor and other modern implements.
The famous Dunlop Bridge at the Le Mans racing circuit
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Le Mans Cathedral dedicated to St. Julien du Mans
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Le Mans
About and hour and a half away, a great day out especially if it is around the Le Mans 24 hours. For 2012 this will be on 16th and 17thJune. Outside of the racing season the motor museum at the circuit is well worth a visit and afterwards you can visit the Cathedral of St. Julien, the old city and enjoy a coffee in one of the squares near the cathedral.
Le Mans is also known for its culinary speciality, “rillettes”, which is a shredded pork pate though is also available as duck or goose. Must be really bad for you as it tastes wonderful!
About and hour and a half away, a great day out especially if it is around the Le Mans 24 hours. For 2012 this will be on 16th and 17thJune. Outside of the racing season the motor museum at the circuit is well worth a visit and afterwards you can visit the Cathedral of St. Julien, the old city and enjoy a coffee in one of the squares near the cathedral.
Le Mans is also known for its culinary speciality, “rillettes”, which is a shredded pork pate though is also available as duck or goose. Must be really bad for you as it tastes wonderful!
Approach to Mont St. Michel
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Cloisters at Mont St. Michel
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Le Mont St. Michel
Again about an hour and a half away due west, Mont St. Michel is one of France’s greatest tourist attractions. Visit the abbey, dedicated to the Archangel, St. Michael and the various museums. Advisable to set off early as it is host to around 3 million visitors per year. As the name would suggest, it is a mount and is not pushchair or wheelchair friendly though well worth a visit.
Again about an hour and a half away due west, Mont St. Michel is one of France’s greatest tourist attractions. Visit the abbey, dedicated to the Archangel, St. Michael and the various museums. Advisable to set off early as it is host to around 3 million visitors per year. As the name would suggest, it is a mount and is not pushchair or wheelchair friendly though well worth a visit.
Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei taken from the church at the top of the hill
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Autumn colours in Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei
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Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei
St. Ceneri is one of France's "Plus Beaux Villages de France" - one of France's most beautiful villages. Noted for it's artists who congregate here, inspired by the beauty of the place in this wooded valley on the river Sarthe. Bustling with visitors in the summer yet tranquil and peaceful in the autumn.
St. Ceneri is one of France's "Plus Beaux Villages de France" - one of France's most beautiful villages. Noted for it's artists who congregate here, inspired by the beauty of the place in this wooded valley on the river Sarthe. Bustling with visitors in the summer yet tranquil and peaceful in the autumn.
