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Bagnoles de l’Orne
This elegant spa town is renowned for its waters (Les Thermes). It is also a gastronomic centre and has at least 16 restaurants listed on TripAdvisor along with many activities throughout the summer. Enjoy your 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. Try 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
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This elegant spa town is renowned for its waters (Les Thermes). It is also a gastronomic centre and has at least 16 restaurants listed on TripAdvisor along with many activities throughout the summer. Enjoy your 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. Try 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
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Le St. Aignan - amazing value restaurant nearby
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Le Cheval Blanc - another great value restaurant, also nearby
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La Maison d'Andaine, the third of our great value restaurants near us
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Great value lunches
Excellent, value for money, working man’s (and woman’s) lunch - we can recommend the following:-
Le St. Aignan at St. Aignan de Couptrain offering a 4 course lunch for around 11.00€ including wine. 10 minutes by car, 40 minutes by bicycle or 1.5 hours walking.
Le Cheval Blanc, La Chapelle-d’Andaines - again around 11.00€ also including drinks. It is a bit further at 13km but well worth a visit.
La Maison d'Andaine at Juvigny-sous-Andaine is a little further, 16km and in the same class as the previous two. You'll get a great welcome there.
These are just a sample of what we have around here.
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Excellent, value for money, working man’s (and woman’s) lunch - we can recommend the following:-
Le St. Aignan at St. Aignan de Couptrain offering a 4 course lunch for around 11.00€ including wine. 10 minutes by car, 40 minutes by bicycle or 1.5 hours walking.
Le Cheval Blanc, La Chapelle-d’Andaines - again around 11.00€ also including drinks. It is a bit further at 13km but well worth a visit.
La Maison d'Andaine at Juvigny-sous-Andaine is a little further, 16km and in the same class as the previous two. You'll get a great welcome there.
These are just a sample of what we have around here.
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Wednesday market at Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët
Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët is around an hour from the gite and is one of the largest street markets in Normandy. This takes place every Wednesday morning and could be part of a day trip as it is about halfway to Le Mont St. Michel
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Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët is around an hour from the gite and is one of the largest street markets in Normandy. This takes place every Wednesday morning and could be part of a day trip as it is about halfway to Le Mont St. Michel
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Thursday market at La Ferté-Macé
La Ferte-Mace is around 15 minutes from your gite and has a market every Thursday morning. This market is part covered (meat, fish and cheese stalls) and the rest is outdoor. There are cafes in the town so you can browse the market, do your shopping or just sit, have a drink and watch the world go by. There are other markets in the area on other days but these two are about the best of them.
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La Ferte-Mace is around 15 minutes from your gite and has a market every Thursday morning. This market is part covered (meat, fish and cheese stalls) and the rest is outdoor. There are cafes in the town so you can browse the market, do your shopping or just sit, have a drink and watch the world go by. There are other markets in the area on other days but these two are about the best of them.
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View of the Chateau at Lassay across the lake
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Lassay-les-Chateaux in floral splendour
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Another view of the medieval chateau
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Lassay-les-Chateaux
Lassay-les-Chateaux is a beautiful town about 11km from the gites and has just about one of the best preserved medieval chateaux in the whole of France. The town prides itself on being one of France's "Cités de Caractère" and has a delightful rose garden. A great place to enjoy an impromtu picnic or you can sample one of the bars or restaurants in the town centre.
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Lassay-les-Chateaux is a beautiful town about 11km from the gites and has just about one of the best preserved medieval chateaux in the whole of France. The town prides itself on being one of France's "Cités de Caractère" and has a delightful rose garden. A great place to enjoy an impromtu picnic or you can sample one of the bars or restaurants in the town centre.
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Crushed apples can only mean one thing - Cider!
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Riding horses is also available at the Eco Musée
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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.
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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.
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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 an hour and a half away, a great day out especially if it is around the Le Mans 24 hours. For 2019 this will be on 15th and 16th June. 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.
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About an hour and a half away, a great day out especially if it is around the Le Mans 24 hours. For 2019 this will be on 15th and 16th June. 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.
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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.
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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.
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Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei taken from the church at the top of the hill
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Near the square
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Autumn colours
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Church at Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei
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Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei
St. Céneri 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.
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St. Céneri 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.
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Lakeside beach at La Ferté-Macé
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Lots of activities and play areas for children
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Path round the lake for walking, cycling or for cycle cart
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Lakeside beach and recreation centre at La Ferté-Macé
If you decide that you want to go to the beach but don't want to go too far try the lakeside beach and recreation centre at La Ferté Macé which is only 20 minutes away. It is great for the kids offering safe swimming and beautiful sands. The nearby trees offer plenty of shade for those who just want to relax out of the sun. Many different activities including pedaloes, cycle carts and there's a cafe there as well.
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If you decide that you want to go to the beach but don't want to go too far try the lakeside beach and recreation centre at La Ferté Macé which is only 20 minutes away. It is great for the kids offering safe swimming and beautiful sands. The nearby trees offer plenty of shade for those who just want to relax out of the sun. Many different activities including pedaloes, cycle carts and there's a cafe there as well.
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Roman temple in the distance and outline of streets between the temple and the Roman baths
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Amphitheatre with church in the background which is built over the original Roman baths
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Impressive fortress which can be accessed via the museum in the town
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Roman Town at Jublains
About half an hour away by car is the ancient Gallo-Roman town of Jublains. Over a wide area it comprises the remains of a temple, Roman baths, amphitheatre and fortress. The fortress is accessed from the museum in the town and further details can be obtained from the website www.jublains.fr and though it is in French, you can use the translate button to convert it into English.
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About half an hour away by car is the ancient Gallo-Roman town of Jublains. Over a wide area it comprises the remains of a temple, Roman baths, amphitheatre and fortress. The fortress is accessed from the museum in the town and further details can be obtained from the website www.jublains.fr and though it is in French, you can use the translate button to convert it into English.
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Chateau is surrounded by a moat which is full of fish
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Impressive gatehouse at the entrance to the chateau
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Fortress like facade extending down to the moat
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Chateau at Carrouges
Another beautiful chateau about 25 minutes away is that of Carrouges. Best to park in the town near the church and enjoy the walk down to the chateau. Dating in parts from the 14th century it is an excellent combination of fortress and residence. The park and gardens extend to around 25 acres and are constantly being updated.
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Another beautiful chateau about 25 minutes away is that of Carrouges. Best to park in the town near the church and enjoy the walk down to the chateau. Dating in parts from the 14th century it is an excellent combination of fortress and residence. The park and gardens extend to around 25 acres and are constantly being updated.
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Inside the entrance at the Chateau of Fougères
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The ramparts enclosing a large area used for concerts in the summer
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There are 13 towers in total guaranteeing an excellent view
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Fougères
An hour and a quarter away is the magnificent castle or Chateau of Fougères. There has been a castle on this site for more than 1000 years and was originally built to protect the Bretons from the French. The chateau is said to be the largest in Europe and during the summer there are concerts held in the grounds. If you are lucky enough to go on a Saturday there is also a market held in the town.
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An hour and a quarter away is the magnificent castle or Chateau of Fougères. There has been a castle on this site for more than 1000 years and was originally built to protect the Bretons from the French. The chateau is said to be the largest in Europe and during the summer there are concerts held in the grounds. If you are lucky enough to go on a Saturday there is also a market held in the town.
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Great mixture of old and vintage cars
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Triumphs and MGs - what young men's dreams were made of
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You needed a bit of serious money for these but boy, do they still look good
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One of my all time favourites the Citroën DS - and a fine example here
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l'Amicale de Vieux Pistons Javronnais
The local piston heads in Javron (10km away) organise an exhibition of old and vintage cars on the first Sunday of August every year. There is usually a great range of exhibits and being in France, many cars you may never have heard of. However there are also some great British cars at the exhibition including Rolls Royce, Jaguar, MG, Triumph and Marcos. They also organise a large "Vide Grenier" which is the French equivalent of a car boot sale - a great day out.
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The local piston heads in Javron (10km away) organise an exhibition of old and vintage cars on the first Sunday of August every year. There is usually a great range of exhibits and being in France, many cars you may never have heard of. However there are also some great British cars at the exhibition including Rolls Royce, Jaguar, MG, Triumph and Marcos. They also organise a large "Vide Grenier" which is the French equivalent of a car boot sale - a great day out.
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