Cycling and Walking in Normandy and Pays de Loire

Cycling and walking routes in Normandy and Pays de Loire start at our front door - we can provide two mountain bikes, routes and maps. Click for details of free Mountain Bike loan.

Baggage transfer for hikers can also be arranged.

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 routes, or if you prefer cycling on hard surfaces there are miles of quiet country lanes to explore in every direction.

Le Mans Race Events

For Le Mans Classic, 24 Hours, MotoGP dates click here

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Fishing in Normandy and Pays de Loire

There is a fishing lake (carp, tench, trout) 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).

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Golf courses in Normandy / Golf courses in Pays de Loire

Golf Arçonnay, Alençon, 10km.

South of Alençon, the golf club at Le Petit Maleffre, Rue des Fonderies, Arçonnay is 9 holes along the banks of the river. The wooded surroundings, water obstacles and doglegs make for an attractive golf course near Alençon.
18 holes weekdays 25 €; 18 holes weekends and public holidays 30 €.



Other Golf Courses

Golf de Bellême, 30km. Les Sablons, 61130 Saint-Martin-du Vieux-Bellême.

Le Mans Golfier, 45km. Rue du Golf, 72190 Sargé-les-le-Mans.

Golf de Bagnoles de l'Orne, 55km. 61140 Bagnoles-de-l'Orne

Golf des 24 Heures, 60km. Route de Tours, 72230 Mulsanne, Le Mans.

Golf du Perche, 65km. La Vallée des Aulnes, 28400 Souancé-au-Perche.

View Golf courses near Alençon, France in a larger map

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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 on the other side of Neufchatel-en-Saosnois, just 15 minutes from Ancinnes.

Please book directly at least a day in advance with M. and Mme. Zalkind, L'Apothicairie, tel. 02 43 34 31 79.

Due to previous experience where people have cancelled activities we have booked for them, we can't book on your behalf - sorry.

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Canoe and Kayaking on the Sarthe

CanoeLocations - Alpes Mancelles Canoe Hire

Why not try canoeing on the Sarthe, for a half or full day, paddling and drifting down a lovely river that flows through spectacularly beautiful countryside. "Alpes Mancelles Canoeing" at www.canoelocation.com provide canoes from a variety of start and finish points. Their canoe-kayak stations at Moulins-le-Carbonnel and Fresnay-sur-Sarthe are both only 10 miles away (20 minutes). All safety equipment and a waterproof storage box for valuables, food and drink are supplied.

Book in advance by phone or email or in person at:
The Mairie, 72130 MOULINS-LE-CARBONNEL
Tel : 02-33-32-95-53
Port. : 06-08-43-37-60
Email : reservations@canoelocation.com

Base Municipale Canoe - Kayak

Alençon town Canoe Base offers a second option for canoeing:
Tel. +33 (0) 233 320 306

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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 seen nearly 50 species in our garden so far:
Birds spotted at La Basse Cour

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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.

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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!).

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Tree Top Adventure Treks "Les Tyroliennes de la Forêt"

Sillé-le-Guillaume, 35 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. +33 2 43 28 59 72, Sillé Plage.
www.aventuresdanslesarbres.com

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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.

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