|
IN BRIEF
|
Head to Sarthe, this discreet department where you can stroll between abbeys, castles, and peaceful bocages. On the agenda: two must-sees — the Petites Cités de Caractère with their medieval charm and the Alpes mancelles with valleys perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and canoeing — plus an essential info: the legendary race of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the only motor race that has had a start announced from the International Space Station.
If you’re looking for a getaway where you can breathe deeply, away from the crowds, with a good dose of history and nature, head to Sarthe! In this discreet yet charming department, two treasures unfold with flair: the Petites Cités de Caractère, brimming with medieval charm, and the Alpes mancelles, perfect for lovers of walks, mountain biking, and canoeing. As a bonus, here’s a crucial piece of information that excites the sports world: the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a legendary and unusual race even in the terrestrial orbit. Prepare your itinerary, your sneakers, and your curiosity: Sarthe promises rural landscapes, abbeys, castles, and a rare tranquility waiting just for you.
To discover: two must-see attractions and essential information about the charming department of Sarthe
The Sarthe is more than just the town of Le Mans. Quite the opposite, this territory in the heart of western France has retained a delightful taste of being “infrequented,” synonymous with peaceful discovery. Between preserved historical sites, half-timbered villages, hiking trails winding through a wooded and hilly countryside, you will feel like you are stepping back in time without giving up fresh air. Here are two places not to be missed… and one essential revelation for adrenaline enthusiasts.
The Petites Cités de Caractère
In Sarthe, about ten towns have received the prestigious label Petites Cités de Caractère. Three of them shine with a very special brilliance: Fresnay-sur-Sarthe, Asnières-sur-Vègre, and La Ferté-Bernard. They encapsulate what the department has of the most picturesque: cobbled streets, ancient bridges, houses by the water, unique churches, and a medieval atmosphere that makes flâneurs’ hearts beat faster.
In Fresnay-sur-Sarthe, voted the second “Favorite Village of the French” in 2021, you can stroll among the remnants of a castle, a Romanesque church, and small houses pressed against the river. Here, every stone seems to tell the epic story of lords and boatmen, and you can happily take a photo break on the bucolic quays.
In Asnières-sur-Vègre, the magic happens right from the church, famous for its delicately preserved frescoes. The village is organized around a medieval bridge and a ford overlooking the Vègre: a postcard setting where time flows slowly, just like the river itself. Perfect for a contemplative walk.
As for La Ferté-Bernard, a small town of about 9,000 souls, it reveals its imposing church of Notre-Dame des Marais, a historic center with remarkable houses, and the famous gate Saint-Julien. Here, you navigate between Gothic heritage and Renaissance atmosphere, with shimmering water in the background that animates the facades.
The Alpes mancelles
Don’t be fooled by the name: the Alpes mancelles are not towering peaks. We’re far from Mont Blanc! Their altitude only flirts with 140 to 230 meters. But it is precisely this gentle profile that hits the mark: hills, steep valleys, dense forests, and rocky outcrops create a perfect playground for those who like to move without exhausting themselves.
Over more than 350 km², straddling Sarthe, Orne, Mayenne, and the Normandie-Maine Regional Nature Park, you can alternate activities: hiking on beautiful trails, canoe descents to caress the swift water, and loops by mountain bike for a bit of thrill. The panoramas are surprising, rock outcrops are visible, light plays in the undergrowth, and villages add a touch of poetry in the hollows of the valleys.
The best part? The area remains relatively non-touristy, so it is peaceful, even in the beautiful season. You can enjoy the silence, the birds, the scents of moss and damp earth: in short, nature in its simplest and truest form.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans: the essential information
It’s hard to talk about Sarthe without mentioning its four-wheeled heroines. The 24 Hours of Le Mans, born in 1923, is one of the three most legendary car races in the world, alongside the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 Miles. It’s a monument to speed, reliability, and panache, vibrating each year in the city of Le Mans and, by extension, the entire department.
Cherry on the podium: this race is the only one to have had a start given from… the ISS, the International Space Station! It was in 2008. Yes, in Le Mans, they keep their heads in the stars as much as their tires on the asphalt. Beyond the records and the legends of the pits, the event is a popular celebration that electrifies the roads, hotels, and surrounding terraces, while revealing a territory proud of its expertise.
Preparing your trip to Sarthe
Before packing your bag, take a look at the local deals to enjoy the May bridges and kick off your summer season at full speed: plan your spring getaways in Sarthe. For an overview of sites, events, and itineraries, the official site is your ideal partner: www.sarthetourisme.com.
Sarthe is wonderfully suited for responsible stays: human-sized accommodations, gentle itineraries, well-marked hiking trails. To travel lightly (and on the good side of the carbon footprint), let yourself be inspired by these paths: better understand the impact of tourism on the planet.
And if, after this Sarthe interlude, the call of the sea is felt, why not test your knowledge with a fun game about the neighboring ocean? Quiz: what do you really know about the Atlantic coast? Need exoticism or ideas for your next vacation? Slip on virtual fins and mask with these fishing villages of Bali and diving spots, or head north with a Swedish getaway on a Baltic island. After all, every beautiful discovery nourishes the next one… and Sarthe is an excellent appetizer.
