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MoreEnjoy the wide open spaces Outdoor activities for the whole family 2021-2022
01 August 2021
We may not have had the opportunity to visit France so far this year but hopefully that will be remedied soon. In which case, why not put The Loir and Le Mans on your bucket list for a holiday in the great outdoors – just the perfect place to breathe fresh air and make the most of those wide open spaces.
Image courtesy of Vallée du Loir
CYCLING: Try one of the prettiest bicycling itineraries in France
Image courtesy of Vallée du Loir
RIDING: Out and about with our four-legged friends
Image courtesy of Vallée du Loir
Cowboy Legend Ranch is the address for horse riding enthusiasts. On offer – lovely itineraries around the Bercé Forest.
Llama Farm Stay – for the less ambitious and those looking for something a little more unusual – thanks to English owners Sarah and Nigel, there is an opportunity on this recently opened little haven of peace. (And if even that is too much, try paddling in a canoe or kayak on the river).
Image courtesy of Vallée du Loir
FISHING: Cast a line in the Loir Valley
Image courtesy of Stevan Lira
The Loir, a second category fishing river, is classified as private until it reaches the confluence with the Sarthe. The roach, bleak, bream, carp, tench, perch, zander, pike and some catfish attract avid anglers. The tributaries of the Loir, classed as first category fishing waters, together with several lakes, make halieutic activities in this region so important. You can fish “night carp” in some places such as Vaas on the left bank of the Loir (upstream from the dam) or on the Mansigné.
For more information www.peche72.fr/ or http://fedepeche37.fr.
Image courtesy of Stevan Lira
ON THE WATER: A great variety of fun activities
Image courtesy of Stevan Lira
Treasure Hunting … calling all pirates! – A different way indeed for the kids to learn about the town of La Flèche – a treasure hunt on the river in canoes and kayaks! The kids dress up as pirates, and, assisted by Mum and Dad, navigate the river following certain sets of clues, to search for lost treasure.
Outdoor lakeside leisure centres – There are four outdoor leisure centres in the Loir – and all offer excellent exterior facilities for children of all ages – Marçon, Mansigné, Luché-Pringé and La Monnerie are all teaming with things to do and enjoy – swimming, fishing, water-sports, hiking trails, bicycle routes, mini-golf, boules, tennis, fitness areas, picnic spots, open-air bars and terraces…All these centres have plenty of activities for teens and tots alike Camping de la Flèche, du Lude, de Luché-Pringé, Mansigné or Marçon
For example – Le Lac des Varennes à Marçon – has 50 hectares of water– it is enormous ! Varennes is offering a NEW attraction this year – water scooters.
For example – Mansigné Lake leisure area stretches over 60 hectares NEWthis year is swing golf!
Image courtesy of Stevan Lira
In the countryside:
IN THE COUNTRYSIDE: Glory in the deep green depths of the forest
Image courtesy of OTVL2019-Margaux
The Bercé Forest – On this side of the Jupilles you will find the beating heart of the Loir Valley – the national Bercé Forest, which has the title ‘forêt d’exception’. It covers an area of nearly 5,500 hectares, and has one of the most marvellous reservations of oaks in France, with some trees over 300 years old and reaching 50 metres tall. The highest quality timber produced is particularly sought after in the barrel making industry and once was used in the construction of naval ships.
THE LATEST NEWS – Eight oaks have been selected to provide wood for the restored arrow on the reconstuction of the Notre Dame in Paris.
Arm yourself with the latest map of the forest, available from the tourist office, and you will learn all the secrets there are to discover. The map highlights the three top sites in the forest that must not be missed. These are the Fontaine de la Coudre, la Futaie des Clos and Carnuta, ‘Maison de l’homme et de la forêt’! The forest is a great place for sporting activities too, such as cycling, walking, hiking, horse-riding and mountain-biking.
Image courtesy of Stevan Lira
Gardens – If you prefer a more ‘gentle’ experience of a garden then try a more intimate destination such as Beaumont-sur-dême or the Prieuré de Vauboin. The latter enclosed garden, inspired by Thierry Juge, is a joy of the most geometric and figurative creations.
And for something different …
Image courtesy of Allwrite
La Chartre-sur-le-Loir – the place to be for antique hunters and art lovers
La Chartre-sur-le-Loir is known as the home of second-hand dealers and antique shops – a real treasure trove with everything from art to vintage goods on sale. The village has more than a dozen intersting such addresses! From a teaspoon of the nineteenth century to a Seventies armchair, between paintings and ceramics, it is not only a trip through quintessential France ; it is also a trip back in time. Weekends are the best times to explore but otherwise visits can be made by appointment.
Image courtesy of Stevan Lira
Images courtesy of Pascal Beltrami
Ferme de Bleuets – Cornflower Farm
Château du Lude – NEW for 2021
Somewhere to stay:
Images courtesy of OT Vallée du Loir / Hôtel de France / Stevan Lira
Hôtel de France – the exact re-opening dates of the Hôtel de France are to be announced shortly. This is an unforgettable hotel on the town square – an institution, somewhere so bound up with the 24hr Le Mans race but also where many celebrities have stayed such as the Kennedys, Steve McQueen, French Presidents … as the photographs on the walls lay testament. Practical information: Prices from 85€ – 40 place de la république- La Chartre-sur-le-Loir, Tel: +33 (0)2 43 44 40 16.
Images courtesy of Chateau d’Hodebert
Château d’Hodebert – At Saint-Paterne- Racan, Ivanna de la Bouillerie and her family will be opening the doors to their Château d’Hodebert. The château dates from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and offers a unique, serene and gorgeous home away from home. Not only is this place of utter refinement it is warm and welcoming. Practical information: Prices from 160€ – Château d’Hodebert – 37370 Saint-Paterne Racan, Tel: +33 (0)2 47 29 34 49 – +33 (0)6 52 72 81 54
Le Domaine Limetière – Le Domaine Limetière is one of the loveliest places to stay in the Loir, with, at its heart, typical nineteenth century farm buildings. Camille Legrand is the perfect hostess who pays attention to the smallest details of decoration. She has an ‘eye’ mixing ‘luxury’ materials with more natural ones. She serves delicious meals, offers the most comfortable rooms and the luxury of an indoor swimming pool. The farm is surrounded by two hectares of beautiful woods. Practical information: 11 guests and four bedrooms. Prices from 110 to 190€. Contact: La Limetière, 37370 Neuvy-le-Roi,Tel: +33 (0)6 76 66 59 17.
Le Mans: Ville Nature
Images courtesy of Ville du Mans
Access to the Loir is easy via Le Mans – just 55 minutes by train from Paris – and it is well worth a look-see before venturing into the surrounding countryside of the Loir.
Le Mans,‘Ville Nature’, ‘green’ and environmentally friendly, contains over 350 hectares of open spaces within this metropolitan area, including parks, sports arenas, communal exterior areas and gardens (over 200 private family gardens and allotments in four corners of the town) plus in its very heart, a farm with over 85 animals, plus forests, woods and fields. Even the environmentally friendly tram system has hectares of trees planted along the tramways.
The municipal horticultural programme includes over 260,000 plants including 50,000 bulbs, 115,000 annuals, 95,000 bi-annuals, 65,000 chrysanthemums….
Image courtesy of Ville du Mans
Many of the promenades, parks and gardens of Le Mans date from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It was the end of the twentieth century when the gardens were laid surrounding the Roman walls of the town and then the twenty first century, the Theodore-Monod Park with its gorgeous fountains was opened too. What is special is the variety of themes in these open spaces, French gardens, English gardens, perfumed gardens, medieval gardens…
L’Arche de la Nature is just ten minutes from the city centre; a wonderful space where the great outdoors can really be appreciated. It includes a petting farm with local species of animals, herb and vegetable garden, hiking trails, walking and conservation routes, mountain bike trails, orienteering areas, an arboretum, disc-golf, bike and canoe hire over a total of 500 hectares.
Image courtesy of Ville du Mans Gilles Mousse
After an absence last year due to Covid, the famous Nuit des Chimères returns for summer 2021, taking place every day 3rd July – 12th September and is free of charge. The light show which is shown on the walls of the Cathedral of St Julien is this year is a hommage to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry to celebrate the author’s 120th birthday anniversary. This is the creation of Nicolas Boutruche who has devised the projections on the life of the creator of the Little Prince.Also on show will be the work of Philippe Echaroux who has created a multitude of images in the town that draw ones attention, amuse, reflect and enjoy.
Note for editors:
The Loir Valley is situated between Le Mans, Tours, Laval and Angers. The little Loir, a cousin of the larger Loire, into which the river flows, means ‘dormouse’. This conjures a very apt description of the area – sleepy, rolling French countryside, with charming villages and enchanting towns that seem to belong to a past era when life was less busy and complicated.
The Loir has throughout history been lauded for its gentle style of living. The river was always the lifeline bringing building materials to construct some of the luxuriant chateaux such as Chateau du Lude, grand enough to rival those of the Loire further south. There are some gorgeous gardens otherwise explore nature where outdoor activities abound.
This is the most northerly outpost of Loire AOC wines which can be enjoyed in the restaurants scattered throughout the region such as Le Moulin de Quatre Saisons in La Flèche.
Often referred to as the Plantagenet city Le Mans, city of art and history, enjoys strong links to the UK and is famous for the 24 hour car race held annually. Le Mans is valued for innovation in technical, medical and educational excellence ; it is the gateway to the Loir.
For more information please visit www.vallee-du-loir.com; https://www.lemans-tourisme.com/en/
Images courtesy of Ville du Mans
A veritable hidden gem …
there’s more to the little Loir without the “e” than you might think
Travelling to the Vallée du Loir: Take the Eurostar or fly to Paris and travel from Paris Montparnasse Train Station via TGV Atlantique direct to Le Mans (55 minutes) – gateway to The Loir. Alternatively, drive in and drive off on either the Shuttle or a ferry to make a quick getaway.