Cycling and Walking in Normandy and Pays de Loire

Special Offer - Free Mountain Bikes, maps etc. Click for details.

The Perseigne forest, straddling Normandy and Pays de la Loire, is a magnet to walkers, riders and mountain bikers but due to its immense area you can go for miles and not meet another soul. The forest of Perseigne has some of the best walking/hiking and mountain bike trails in France, with clearly marked trails, and there are miles and miles of quiet country lanes to explore. We have two adult mountain bikes available for guests' use (please check the day before for availability) to explore the countryside and forest; we can arrange to hire more, or rent direct from Bayi Cycles in Alençon 02 33 29 65 13.

Cycling and walking routes in Normandy and Pays de Loire start at our front door - we can provide two adult mountain bikes, routes and maps.

Baggage transfer for hikers can be arranged.

Le Mans Motorsports Calendar

Le Mans motorsports events and dates - click here to open in new window

Market days (mornings till 12.00)

Monday - Mamers

Thursday and Saturday - Alençon

Back to top

Fishing in Normandy and Pays de Loire

There is a fishing lake (carp, tench, trout etc.) within walking distance (1000m), surrounded by trees and with a picnic area, tables and benches.
No need to arrange for a fishing licence in advance - you can just turn up with your fishing rod, fees are collected on site (a couple of euros).
If you fancy a day fishing in a picturesque and quiet location, you won't be disappointed.

Back to top

Golf courses in Normandy / Golf courses in Pays de Loire

Golf Arçonnay, Alençon, 10km/15 minutes.
Five minutes from Alençon, the golf club at Arçonnay unfolds its 9 holes along the banks of a river. The wooded surroundings, water obstacles and doglegs make for a most pleasing golf course.
18 holes weekdays 25 €; 18 holes weekends and public holidays 30 €.

Golf de Bellême, 30km/30 minutes away.

Golf de Sargé Le Mans, 50km/45 minutes.

Golf de Bagnoles de l'Orne, la Ferté-Macé. 55km/60 minutes away.

La Vallée des Aulnes Golf de Perche, Souancé-au-Perche. 65km/60 minutes.

Back to top

Horse riding in Normandy and Pays de Loire

Beginners and experienced riders alike can hire horses for an accompanied ride in the forest of Perseigne or a carriage ride from the stables at Neufchatel-en-Saosnois, just 10 minutes from Ancinnes. Please give at least 48 hours advance notice.
M. et Mme. Zalkind, L'Apothicairie. Tel. 02 43 34 31 79.

Back to top

Bird Watching in Normandy and Pays de Loire

Without even moving from the breakfast table you can spot a surprising number of birds - we have counted over 40 different species in our garden so far, such as these:
Birds spotted at La Basse Cour

Back to top

Days Out and Sightseeing in Normandy and Pays de Loire

We can suggest loads of places to go and visit for days out and there are dozens of local sites of interest - find out What to See here.

Back to top

Hunting Mushrooms

Mushrooming is very popular from late summer to mid-winter, with people coming from far afield to gather mushrooms from the forest of Perseigne - ceps, chanterelles, parasols and ink caps are common (and tasty!).

Back to top

Alpes Mancelles Tree Top Adventure

St Léonard-des-Bois, 15 minutes from Ancinnes.
Always a hit with children, these tree-top walks, zip-line descents and climbs are graded to be suitable for all abilities age 5 upwards.
Tel. 06 70 00 01 73.
www.aventuresdanslesarbres.com

Back to top

Canoe and Kayaking on the Sarthe

Base Municipale Canoe - Kayak

Alençon town Canoe Base:
Tel. +33 (0) 233 320 306

CanoeLocations - Alpes Mancelles Canoe Hire Company

Why not try canoeing on the Sarthe, for a half or full day. Lovely river, beautiful countryside. PREFERENCE PLEIN-AIR aka Alpes Mancelles Canoeing provide canoes from a variety of start and finish points and you can book in advance online. Their stations at Moulins-le-Carbonnel and Fresnay-sur-Sarthe are both only 10 miles away (20 minutes). All safety equipmant and a waterproof storage box for valuables, food and drink are supplied.

Back to top

Tennis, Table tennis

At the village sports ground. We can lend you table tennis bats and balls.

10-pin Bowling

Arçonnay, 10 minutes from Ancinnes.

Alencéa Swimming and Aquatic Leisure Centre

Open 7 days a week the Alencéa water centre at Alençon covers 2500m² and has a 25m sports pool for serious swimmers, plus a large leisure pool with water chutes, geysers, river currents and wave machines. Times and tariffs.

Back to top