Chateau de Couterne - 1 km
Visits available from 1st July until 31st August - Chateau is not accessible but the exhibition of life and items discovered during renovations worth seeing - garden free admission - See "more info" for pricings
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Bagnoles de l’Orne - 6 km
A beautiful spa town with relaxing hot spring baths, and full leisure facilities including swimming pool, tennis courts, crazy golf, cycle routes and lake with surrounding park where you can hire pedaloes and row boats. Also 9-hole golf course nearby.
On a former Railway line with a very gentle gradient, you can enjoy a trip by Vélo Rail (a 4-person cart with 2 pedal seats and 2 passenger seats) through the surroundings of the Priory of St Ortaire and crossing the magnificent forest d'Andaines.
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La Michaudière - 10 km
La Michaudière, is a typical Bocage Normand farm (based in Juvigny-sous-Andaine) which is now a restored Ferme du Cheval de Trait. Here you can get to know Percherons, Norman and Breton cobs! Visit and meet the horses, and stay for the spectacular and comical display in the afternoon.
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La Ferté Macé - 11 km
The lake, with its man-made beach with lifeguards during July-August, is the perfect place for a swim or gentle walk. Activities include an introduction to sailing, windsurfing, optimist boats, fishing, electric boats, pedalos, kayaking, horse riding, climbing wall, mini-golf, go-kart, 4-person bikes, a picnic area and restaurant. Sailing schools, Water cycle rental, Fishing, Canoe kayak Centre, Games for children.
There is an 18-holes wooded golf course, spread over 12 acres, total length of 2,798 m (par 73) overlooking the Lake. Open from April to October, for players aged from 8 years old onwards.
There is also an indoor swimming pool with spa area, swimming lessons and water aerobics sessions.
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Lassay-les-Châteaux - 11 km
An ancient market town, one of seven “Petites Cites de Character” in the Mayenne. The Château (1 of 3 making the name “Lassey-Les-Châteaux”), is one of the best preserved medieval Châteaux in France, with its working drawbridge and barbican has 8 massive towers, linked by ramparts and a crenelated curtain wall. Nearby is an old salt loft and prison. Walk around the lake to the ancient Lavoir (wash house) and medieval garden in the former Benedictine Convent. A little further on is the Rosary with many rose varieties. The other 2 Châteaux are in the vicinity and can be visited by walking along a pathway.
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Karting du Nord Mayenne - 16 km
Every weekend and Bank Holiday - come and experience the world of Karting on this beautiful winding race track - Children from 7 - 12 years can drive individually, and younger children can go with an adult in 2-person karts - See "more info" for pricings and times.
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Domfront - 21 km
A medieval town with castle ruins and ancient streets. It has street markets and local bazaars and many tiny craft shops.
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Mayenne - 30 km
A medieval town, originated when a monastery was erected near the gate of the pre-existing castle, which led to the formation of the settlement. It was besieged twice during the 16th century, and suffered substantial damage. It was rebuilt but then suffered from plague in 1707. On 9 June 1944, during World War II, it was bombed by English planes, which caused heavy damage and numerous casualties. The Château, built in the eleventh century, has five towers, only one of which has kept its original conical roof. The vaulted rooms and the chapel have thirteenth century decorations. Once used as a prison, since 2008 it is home to a museum. The Basilica of Notre-Dame, founded in 1100, has only the piers and the arcades of the nave remaining. There is also the Romanesque church of St. Martin, enlarged in neo-medieval style during the nineteenth century.
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Mayenne - 30 kms
The Memorial of the Deportees pays homage to all deported persons from the department of Mayenne, sent to concentration or extermination camps during the Second World War.
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Mayenne - 30 km
River Cruise - Embark on a lazy stroll on the river Mayenne and discover the city of Mayenne and its surroundings - appreciate the beautiful landscapes and learn about the fauna, the flora, the history of the region or the manual lock system - or combine pleasure and gluttony by taking a meal cruise.
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Jublains - 34 km
A former site of Roman occupation. The Amphitheater, Temple and Baths are free to visit and there is a Museum and the large impressive Fort that charge a small entry fee. Re-enactments are often held at the site.
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Saint-Cénéri-le-Gérei - 35 km
Set in Les Alpes Mancelles, this beautiful village, a member of the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France has been adored by artists, including Corot and Courbet (pre-Impressionist landscape painters).
While here, why not visit La Taverne Giroise for tea & cakes.
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Gorron - 38 kms
Parc de loisirs de la Colmont is an activity park for the whole family. Tarzan Trails, Paintball, Laser Games, Swin golf, Foot golf, Disc golf, Archery golf, Canoes, Kayaks, Mini-rafts, Cycle Trails, Tennis, or visit the thermal attractions in the 4 humid zones.
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Foot Golf - 38km
A cross between football and golf. Each player is required to kick a football into a large golf hole.
Located within Parc de loisirs de la Colmont
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Putanges Pont Écrepin - 40 km
Val d'Orne Boat Cruise - What could be more romantic than a candle-lit dinner aboard a houseboat sailing silently on the dark waters of a lake that the moon illuminates with its silver reflection and whose shores are illuminated by spotlights?
Embark at noon for lunch or at 8 pm for dinner
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Alençon - 46 km
Famed for its lace known as “point d'Alençon” and its flourishing printing industry, which both gave way to its lucrative plastics industry and education centre. It can be traced back to the uprising against William the Conqueror (Duke of Normandy), and is also the birthplace of Sainte Therese de Lisieux.
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Sille Plage - 48 km
In the forest near to Sille-le-Guillaume, a lake with swimming, pedal boats, sailing, canoeing, fishing; and climbing sites, hiking, mountain-biking or horse-riding.
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Parc Animalier D'Ecouves - 50 km
300 animals (over 30 species) roaming about in large enclosures. Spend a leisurely 3 hrs ambling around the 14 hectare park.
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Falaise - 52 km
The town was the birthplace of William the Conqueror. The Treaty of Falaise was signed at the castle in December 1174 between the captive William I and King of England, Henry II.
In modern times it is known for the battle of the "Falaise Pocket" during the Allied reconquest of France (called Operation Overlord) in August 1944 in which two German armies were encircled and destroyed by the Allied armies. Two-thirds of Falaise was destroyed by Allied bombing and was largely restored after the war.
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Le Village Enchanté - 53 km
Family Amusement Park with attractions and games for all !
New monkey bridge
New "accrobranches" for kids
Tyrolean for kids
New soft play area
Caving area "ghost’s cave",
Trampolines area.
Free video games area
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La Suisse Normande - 58 km
"Norman Switzerland" is not a mountainous area, but a delightful, steep, wildish stretch around the Orne Valley. Here, go messing around in boats, hiking or rock-climbing, or simply marvel at the gorges from a gorgeous riverside restaurant terrace.
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Haras du Pin - 60 km
The Haras du Pin proves a wonderful equestrian estate to visit, both for horse enthusiasts and for those with no specialist knowledge. Look out for the special events staged here, plus the special extras available on peak Mondays and Thursdays.
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Saint Martin de Landelles - 65 kms
Ange Michel - Theme park for all the family including Laser games, Aquasplash, Tornado (roller coaster), Flash Tower, The Deferlante, Aquaslides, 7D Cinema, Childrens rides and animal petting. Food Available - See "more info" for pricings.
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Further Away (But well worth visiting)
Le Mans (about 1¼ hrs) - 85 km
Everyone knows of the Le Mans 24-hour automobile racing, but there is much more to Le Mans than just cars. The old town still has remnants of the Roman wall and Roman baths, with a light show on the wall in July and August telling its history. Also, the “Jardin des Plantes du Mans” is a lovely place for a picnic and stroll.
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Festyland, Caen (about 1¼ hrs) - 90km
For a family day out, Festyland Theme park has rides suitable for all ages – from kiddy karts to roller coasters, and spinning around to getting wet.
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Caen (about 1¼ hrs) - 90 km
Caen was a duchy town founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, which is still as beautiful and powerful as the King and Duke planned it to be.
Abbeys, château, mansions, and buildings from the 1950s make up the city’s rich heritage and showcase our buzzing and creative city’s cultural energy.
Caen is a unique destination bursting with sights to see, things to do, hotels, good food and big brand shops. The fabulous town centre means you can relax by the water on the marina, get back to nature in leafy settings or unwind in its wealth of parks.
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Chateau-Gontier - Refuge de l'Arche (about 1¼ hrs) - 90 km
In 1964, in the district of Château-Gontier, Christian Huchedé and his friends, set up a refuge for injured and endangered animals, without imagining for a moment that three decades later, the Refuge de l'Arche would extend over 15 hectares, would count more than 1,500 animals, 150 species; And 100,000 visitors per year!
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Papea Parc (about 1½ hrs) - 92 kms
Theme park on outskirts of Le Mans. Rides and amusements for the whole family (including aquaslides, lazy boat trips, and galloping horses, to roller coasters, log flume and giant splash.
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Mont-Saint-Michel (about 1½ hrs) - 95 km
One of France’s most visited attractions. Set in Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel, it is the imposing island topped by a medieval monastery. A visit is highly recommended, a great day out for all the family.
Also, visit the alligator bay reptilarium. Here you can see more than 300 tortoises living in large landscaped gardens some weighing more than 100 kg and more than a 100 years old. Crocodiles, Caimans and Alligators, then visit the large reptile house with tunnels, ladders you can climb, pyramids and glass towers with boas, pythons, iguanas, monitor lizards and chameleons.
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Normandy Landing Beaches (about 1½ hrs) - 110 km
The D-Day Landings were the most vital part of the greater Operation Overlord to liberate Europe from years of German military occupation. From Pegasus Bridge to Sainte-Mère-Eglise, this area is steeped in WW2 history.
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Bayeux (about 1½ hrs) - 120 km
Bayeux is a town on the Aure river in the Normandy region of northwestern France, 10 kilometers from the Channel coast. Its medieval center contains cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and the towering, Norman-Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame. The famed 68-meter Tapisserie de Bayeux, an 11th-century tapestry depicting the 1066 Norman invasion of England, is on display in an 18th-century seminary.
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Loire Valley (about 2 hrs) - 140 km +
An early start and late return will allow a visit, but with over 1000 Châteaux, walled towns and cities, and unforgettable scenery, you won’t be disappointed.
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