A Few Ideas for Days Out in South Normandy and Upper Pays de la Loire

Not sure what to do, where to go, what to see? Here is a handful of ideas to get you started. But this is only a start - click on "What to See" for many, many more ideas and "Gardens in Normandy and Pays de la Loire" for dozens of great gardens to visit.

1. Château de Carrouges

Morning

Visit Château de Carrouges 20 miles north west of Alençon, driving there through the Forest of Ecouves on the D2 rather than the busy N12. Open every day all year round. Closes for lunch 12.00 to 2.30pm. The last morning tour is at 11.15am.

Then lunch in Carrouges (restaurants and crêperies) or drive on to Bagnoles-de-l’Orne for lunch.

Afternoon

Visit Chateau de Sassy at St Christophe-le-Jajolet, 12 miles north-east from Carrouges. Visit the château and its impressive formal gardens and terraces. Open 15 June to 15 September 10.30 to 12.30 and 2pm to 6pm. Easter Saturday to 14 June and 16-30 September open weekends only, 3pm to 6pm.

Visit Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, a spa town with lots of shops and restaurants/bars, an arboretum and park on the mount next to the chateau (not open to public) and lakeside park by the Casino. Just up the road from the Casino is a little garden to visit called “le Jardin Retiré”. Open April to September Fri, Sat, Sun 10am – 6pm.

Near Bagnoles at La Pesnière, 61700 Champsecret, “Le Jardin Boutique” sells all sorts of garden ornaments, statues, metalwork, furniture, and house décor such as candelabras, lanterns, statues, table decorations, etc. We have bought garden furniture and ornaments here. Open Friday to Tuesday 10 to 12.30 and 2pm to 6pm.

2. Alpes Mancelles

Morning

Visit Fresnay-sur-Sarthe (market day is Saturday) – pretty town, views of the Sarthe from the castle ruins in the town centre. Then head for St Léonard des Bois. From the church square by the Hotel Bon Laboureur there is a 5km walk up the Vallée de Misère signposted in green. Lunch at St Léonard, before or after walk.

Afternoon

St Ceneri-le-Geréi, classed as one of the prettiest villages in France. Walk by the river, great views from behind the church. Leave on the road uphill and on the north outskirts of the village the Gardens of the Mansonière are open every afternoon (14h30 to 18h30) except Tuesday from June to mid September; early season Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons only from mid-April to end of May.

On the way back and just 5 minutes before Ancinnes take a walk around the fortified, ramparted village of Bourg-le-Roi. The village bar closes lunchtime except Fri, Sat, Sun; the bistro next door is open Friday and Saturday lunchtime and evening from 7.30, and Sunday at lunchtime only.

Nearby at Cherisay at Les Ragottieres the “Atelier Couleurs de Verre” is a local glass art workshop open Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 2pm to 7pm. Also at Cherisay at Le Rabours “Au Jardin d’Hôte” is a garden pond centre that also sells bird sculptures in metal, like the ones in our own gardens. Open Tues - Fri 2pm to 7pm.

3. Le Mans

Morning

Visit old town of Le Mans, the “Plantagenet City” – medieval town, its 1700 year-old Roman ramparts overlooking the river Sarthe, and the exceptional Cathedral of St Julien. Good bars and cafés, restaurants, tea rooms.

If you like motor racing then the Le Mans 24 Hours museum at the entrance to the race circuit is worth a visit and has a café. Open January : Fri-Sun 11h to 17h. February, March : every day except Tuesday 11h to 17h. April to September : every day 10h to 18h. October to December : every day except Tuesday 11h to 17h.

Afternoon

The Garden of Petit Bordeaux at St Biez-en-Bélin is just south of Le Mans near Ecommoy. Excellent garden, much worth a visit. Open 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 7pm, April to end October every day except Tuesdays.

In the same area are the excellent gardens of La Massonnière at Saint-Christophe-en-Champagne (open June to September Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 13.00h to 19.00h) and the unusual vegetable gardens of the Château de Villaines between Louplande and Chemiré-le-Gaudin (open June, July and September every day from 10h to 12h and 14h to 18h).

4. Alençon and Essay/Perseigne

Morning

Visit the old town of Alençon – the town centre around the Basilica of Notre Dame retains many medieval buildings. There is an audioguide available from the Tourist office in the Maison d’Ozé near the Basilica Notre Dame, and a tourist train in summer months that you can hop on and off (tickets from tourist office). Market days are Thursday ansd Saturday morning. NB most shops are closed on Sunday and Monday. Lunch in Alençon - sandwich bars, restaurants, cafés in Grande Rue and around the Halle au Blé.

Afternoon

Visit the Garden of Manoir la Bonnerie at Essay 10 miles north-east of Alençon. The garden and manor house are on a hillside looking over the town. Open mid-May to mid-September, Saturday to Tuesday each afternoon from 15h00 to 19h00.

OR

If you’ve ever watched the Tour de France and been even vaguely interested you must visit the unusual and surprising Musée du Vélo at Fresnay-sur-Chedouet; interactive videos, rare newsreel, historic race bikes, famous riders’ memorabilia, etc. Open April to September, Wednesday to Sunday from 10h to 13h and 14h to 18h.

Coming back from either of these through the forest of Perseigne the belvedere is signposted – this is the highest point in the Sarthe and on clear days offers views as far as Le Mans and the Alpes Mancelles. Open 1pm to 6pm weekends only in April, May, June and September, 11am to 7pm Wed-Sun in July and August. Drive back via the Vallée d’Enfer and Neufchatel where there is a curious little woodcraft museum – get a key from any of the shops or the bar!

5. ... and many more sights to see

This is only a start - click on "What to See" for many, many more ideas and "Gardens in Normandy and Pays de la Loire" for dozens of great gardens to visit. For activities and things to do see ""What to Do".

Back to top