Places to Visit

For added information and links please click on the name places in blue these will take you to their relevant websites which will open in a new window.  You may have to use 'google translator' on a couple of the websites if there is not an English version available!

The Orne region of Normandy is a great place to explore, with something for everyone. Below you will find a few suggestions – information leaflets are available in each of the bedrooms. Feel free to ask us for more information.

Restaurants – there are plenty of restaurants locally serving delicious food, including Le Relais de la Poste in nearby La Sauvagère (2 minutes by car), the Michelin starred Auberge de la Mine in La Ferrière-aux-Étangs (15 minutes by car) and also a wide selection of restaurants in La Ferté- Macé, Bagnoles, Domfront and Flers.

Activities available locally include walking or cycling in the Forêt des Andaines, golf in Bagnoles, horse riding or swimming at La Ferté-Macé (either in the covered pool or outside at the Base de Loisirs).

The nearby spa town of Bagnoles de l'Orne is our Jewel in the Crown, offering a wide variety of activities. The healing thermal waters are known to offer respite from such conditions as rheumatism and Les Thermes de Bagnoles de L’Orne is open daily from March to October. In addition the spa centre offers a variety of treatments, including thermal mud wraps and massages – just relax and be pampered! A walk round the lake is a must, before eating at one of the many restaurants – the town even has its own casino.

La Ferté-Macé, with its twin spired church, is a great place to shop or why not visit the medieval town of Domfront with its 12th century chateau and romanesque church. In late December, La Sauvagère is a must – people come from miles around to see the award winning Christmas lights.

The Normandy beaches are approximately 1.5 hours away where guided tours are available, especially designed by the historians of Le Memorial de Caen.

Close to Caen is the town of Bayeux with its famous 11th century work of art, The Bayeux Tapestry.

The famous landmark world heritage site of Mont Saint Michel Bay is a 90 minute drive – why not combine a visit with a leisurely drive along the Normandy/Brittany coastlines with their famous beaches and quaint fishing villages.  

For horse lovers, the Haras du Pin National Stud Farm is an hour’s drive away – an excellent day out with the opportunity to learn more of the history of the stud, meet its beautiful horses and also visit the Haras du Pin Chateau. Events are held regularly at the Stud Farm, including international show jumping, horse race meetings and demonstrations by the famous Percheron draught horses.

The area has a wealth of chateaux, manors, stately homes and museums, including the Chateau at Carrouges, the Musée du Jouet (collection of 19th and 20th century games and toys) at La Ferté-Macé and the Country Heritage Museum at Dompierre. Alternatively, why not visit the many parks and gardens that thrive in the Normandy climate.

The 95 hectare Lake Rabodanges is a short drive from the house, where in the summer months, you can waterski or canoe or alternatively enjoy a relaxing cruise on the lake. Close by is the lovely village of Putanges from where you can cruise the River Orne and the town of Falaise with the 12th century castle of William the Conqueror. A visit to the Roche d’Oëtre is highly recommended – spectacular cliffs 118 m above the River Rouvre, giving marvellous views over the local countryside with walking trails, of various distances, to guide you through the flora and fauna of the local area.

For car and motorcycle enthusiasts, Maison Laudière is approximately 1.5 hours from Le Mans, famous for its 24 hour races and Automobile Museum, which exhibits 120 vehicles from past to present. The house is an ideal stopover place en-route.

Finally, the area is famous for its food and drink and there are many places locally where you can sample and buy local produce. Camembert cheese is a must and because we are in the heart of the apple and pear-growing region, cider, Calvados or Poire provide an ideal accompaniment.