Advice

Here’s a quick detour in your visit to introduce all the other points of interest that couldn’t be included in the main itinerary. For a nature escape, head to the Arche de la Nature in Yvré-l’Évêque: 500 hectares of forest, meadows, and rivers with three themed areas, the House of the Forest, the House of Water, and the Farm, perfect for families, cyclists, or walkers. Just next door, don’t miss the Royal Abbey of l’Épau, founded by the widow of Richard the Lionheart. This Cistercian gem combines medieval simplicity, natural serenity, and cultural events throughout the year. For thrills, make your way to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum, home to over 140 race cars, along with memorabilia, archives, and simulators, a must for both enthusiasts and the simply curious. Right next door, discover the legendary 24 Hours Circuit, the global temple of motorsport. Guided tours let you explore behind the scenes of this legend born in 1923. For a more bucolic getaway, head to Poncé-sur-le-Loir. Its elegant Renaissance château and artisan village offer a journey back in time. In the same vein, the Château du Lude, still inhabited, blends medieval and classical styles, with sumptuous gardens and family activities all year round. Garden lovers will also be charmed by the Gardens of La Mansonière in Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei, a poetic floral haven in one of the most beautiful villages in France. Nearby, Fresnay-sur-Sarthe takes you to the Middle Ages with its ramparts, ruined castle, and lively streets in summer. Further south, discover Solesmes, a world centre for Gregorian chant: the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Pierre welcomes you in an atmosphere of serene devotion. For a riverside stroll, Asnières-sur-Vègre awaits with its medieval bridge, ancient frescoes, and flower-decked timber-framed houses. In another register, the Château of Sillé-le-Guillaume, set at the edge of a large lake and forest, is perfect for combining culture and nature. And if you love great stands of old trees, the Forest of Bercé is a wonder: centuries-old oaks, walking trails, picnic areas, and Carnuta, an immersive centre devoted to humans and the forest. Finally, end in Malicorne-sur-Sarthe at the Earthenware Museum. Set in a former factory, it reveals all the region’s ceramic know-how, complete with demonstrations and a shop. With all this, you have every reason to linger in the region a little longer.