Lower Normandy & Pays de la Loire Ancinnes is located on the border between Lower Normandy and the Pays de Loire, surrounded by beautiful and varied countryside. We have the forested Maine Normand park to the north (incorporating the Forests of Perseigne and Ecouves), the copse-dotted fields of the Perche to the east and the heather-topped hills of the Alpes Mancelles and the Mayenne department to the west. To the south, the Sarthe departement in the Pays de Loire is among the most geographically varied you could wish to see.
Being located at a north-south (Paris-coast) and east-west (Calais to Charente/Aquitaine) crossroad, many people pass through this region but relatively few think to take the time to pause and experience what this region on the border of Normandy and Pays de Loire has to offer - we encourage guests to stay one or two nights longer so that they can appreciate France away from the usual tourist haunts.
Our "What to See" and "What to Do" pages will give you a better idea of what the region has to offer; meantime, here is a brief overview of a handful of places. The Loir valley - Malicorne, Le Lude and Saulges Just south-west of Le Mans, about 45 minutes from us, lies the famous porcelain and pottery town of Malicorne; Malicorne's colourful ceramic and earthenware heritage dates from 1750; you can stock up on some wonderful and original presents while you are there. Just south of Le Mans are the imposing, stunningly postitioned château at Le Lude and the flower-decked town of La Flèche, which is also home to an excellent modern zoo. For something totally different, the caves and grottoes of le Saulges lie to the west of Le Mans. A visit to any two of these would form the basis of an excellent day trip to the southern Sarthe. River Sarthe The Sarthe river is popular for boating trips and canoeing. The Sarthe flows through Alençon before turning south to Le Mans and then heading seawards. Canoes and kayaks can be hired for a day or half-day from a number of centres close to Alençon - you paddle downstream to a pre-arranged pickup point where there is a car or bus waiting to collect you and take you back to the start point. This lets you explore parts of the river inaccessible by car or on foot - don't forget to take a picnic. Le MansLe Mans, the capital of the Sarthe, is probably best known as the site of the annual 24-hour motor race, but has much else to offer as a tourist destination. It is well worth a day trip to visit the magnificent Cathédrale Saint-Julien, which took five centuries to build and dominates the river Sarthe below; then explore the Roman wall that encircles the Old Town (Vieux Mans) and meander round Vieux Mans itself, a maze of quirky backstreets steepling over the southern bank of the Sarthe, lined with timber-framed houses with some ornately decorated façades.
The town's Fine Arts Museum (Tessé), with its collection of Flemish and Dutch paintings, egyptology exhibition and extraordinary collection of ancient firearms, is an excellent visit; even if you are not a motor racing or car enthusiast, you can't fail to love the fabulous collection of vehicles at the Sarthe Car Museum (near the race circuit main entrance, south of the town: about 45 minutes / 35 miles away from us, straight down the N138/D338). Around Ancinnes In the far north of the Sarthe as you enter Lower Normandy Ancinnes is a village and commune in the Parc Maine Normand (Normandy Maine Park), on the edge of the massive forest of Perseigne, 15,000 acres of public woodland.
The many walking trails in the Perseigne forest are excellent for exploring on foot or by bicycle (we have a couple of mountain bikes available free to those staying two nights or more), or horses and ponies for a half day or longer trekking in the forest can be hired from a friendly nearby riding school- beginners are welcome. In spring and autumn mushrooming in the woods is popular, while the wildlife includes red deer, roe deer and wild boar. Red squirrels are also common on the edge of the Persiegne forest. Alpes Mancelles Just south of the Alpes Mancelles a popular spot for locals and visitors alike is Coco Plage at Sillé-le-Guillaume, a man-made lake and beach set in the forest and the home to a sailing school. As you enter the Alpes Mancelles, Fresnay-sur-Sarthe is a fortified town whose old battlements look down on the Sarthe. Moving further north into Alpes Mancelles leads you through St Léonard-des-Bois (canoeing, rockclimbing, tree-top adventure park) to one of the prettiest villages in France, Saint-Céneri-le Gérei. This hilltop village is a magnet for artists who for centuries have been inspired by its setting and charming houses. Its church is perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the river valley, while a small chapel dating back to the days when Viking invaders pillaged the area sits alone in a meadow, framed by the wooded hillside which surrounds the village. Perche East of Ancinnes is the verdant Perche park, with gently rolling fields dotted with woods and forests. The peculiar 11th-century church-cum-château of Saint-Georges-du-Rosay is remarkable for its terracotta statues, typifying the area's rich architectural appeal. One of the major towns in the Perche and Saosnois area is La Ferté-Bernard on the River Huisne. Sometimes called the 'Little Venice of the West' because a canal runs by the main street, its medieval architecture can be appreciated on a boat trip that starts near the tourist office. For another day out, popular with children, go to the Domaine de Pesheray, an animal park and mini golf course set in the grounds of a 16th-century château. Orne and the Pays d'Auge Just 10 minutes from us you will find the capital of the Orne and former ducal town of Alençon. With its pretty cobbled streets, medieval architecture, fabulous gothic church, château-keep (now housing the town courtrooms and prison cells) and numerous bars and restaurants Alençon is well worth a visit. Most of the departement of the Orne and the Pays d'Auge lies north of Alençon, as the town lies almost on the border of the Orne and the Sarthe.
This is an area famous for its farm produce - apples and pears for making cider, pommeau, calvados and poiré; cream for making Camembert, Pont l'Eveque and Livarot cheeses; plus lush pastureland where beef, veal and poultry are reared. There are some wonderful châteaux and gardens to visit, too, including the Chateau de Carrouges, Chateau de Sassy and Vendeuvre. Mont St Michel, Normandy beaches, Bayeux, Chartres ... For those wanting to explore further afield, we can recommend a day trip to Mont St Michel to see the stunning World Heritage site of this island abbey on the coast between Normandy and Brittany; or visit some of the numerous sites and places connected with the D-Day landing beaches; or Bayeux, famous for the tapestry relating the history of the Norman conquest of Britain; or Chartres, renowned for its wonderful cathedral.
We have compiled a series of day trips to help you discover a few of these sights and others besides.
The region really does have something for everyone: fantastic architecture, excellent museums, diverse landscapes, rivers as well as lots of activities, fresh air and wonderful food. Make time to explore the area - it's good to get away from the tourist crowds!
B&B Normandy
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