Sarthe (department 72).

Capital Le Mans.

Its name comes from the River Sarthe, and covers an area of 29,396 sq. miles, it has a population of 529,000 (census 1999). Fruit farming is the main occupation in this area, and small scattered farms are surrounded by apple trees. There is dense forest in the East, and steeply sloped woods in the west. The highest point in the north is the Perseigne Forest (1,120ft/340m) with rolling hills. The south has many vineyards.

The very soul of Sarthe lives in the heart of its remarkably well preserved and picturesque villages. Châteaux, parks and gardens are in perfect harmony and create absolutely beautiful landscape perspectives that encourage visitors to linger.

Sarthe is situated between the Atlantic coast and the Parisian Basin.
Le Mans - Alençon: 31 miles.   Angers: 56 miles.   Laval: 46 miles.   Nantes: 112 miles.   Paris: 24miles. Rennes: 93 miles.   Tours: 50 miles .

Sarthe has three main rivers and 465 streams, the main one being The River Sarthe which rushes its way through the spectacular hills and valleys, with rocky slopes at St Léonard des Bois and St Céneri le Gérei, (in the heart of the Alpes Mancelles.) Down to the valleys it wends its way through water-mills and the flood plains around Fresnay sur Sarthe, she has many surprises, in less than 2 kilometers she changes from a mountain type river (in the "Alpes Mancelles") to a very quiet river where boating and fishing are very easy to practice which makes this area a fishermans paradise.

Imagine a hill covered with 18 acres of old half-timbered houses, Renaissance mansions, and cobblestone streets lined with spur stones. Imagine its Roman Wall built around 280, encircling the old city, and discover the Saint-Julian cathedral, placed on the top of the hill, built between the 11th and 15th centuries. Old Le Mans, the "Cité Plantagenêt" are actually one of the most beautiful testimonies of 2000 years of French History.

Visit La Ferté Bernard in Perche Sarthois on foot, in a small train or in a motor-boat along the canals, and see the heart of the historical center of La Ferté Bernard. See the Middle Ages and the length of the half-timbered houses near the Saint Julien Gate. See Renaissance and Gothic styles near the Church of Notre Dame des Marais or the covered market and its old framework.

 From the 11th century onwards, stone châteaux were built. Today they are still majestic, in Vendôme, Lavardin and Durtal, dominating the valley with their monumental buildings. At the turn of a meander of the Loir, the machicolated towers of the château of Bazouges defy time. In Le Lude, the sublime architecture of the first French Renaissance overlooks the landscape. The "Caroline Terrace" and its high brick wall raise the curtain on Château de Poncé. In this land of châteaux, French-style or romantic gardens add poetry to the Renaissance buildings.

The Sarthe Valley boasts five "cités de caractère" (villages of outstanding beauty and of historical significance). Visit Asnières sur Vègre, often called "the most beautiful village in the Sarthe", with sixteenth and seventeenth century houses, a thirteenth century court of justice, watermills and the parish church with its eleventh and fourteenth century wall paintings.

Malicorne sur Sarthe, a pottery place, is also interesting with two working potteries and the "Espace Faïence", a modern exhibition center.

Those who love old stonework will be delighted with the Haute Sarthe where the architectural heritage is rife.

The imposing fortress of Sillé le Guillaume and the Prieuré de Vivoin transformed into an animation centre - the charm of traditional building has come down through history, and can be found in the many washhouses, hemp ovens, dovecotes, and chapels such as the Verniette at Conlie! Roussard stone, a wine-coloured sandstone, is ever present in the area.

Walk through the heart of medieval Fresnay sur Sarthe, the streets of Beaumont sur Sarthe, and Vivoin, the three "Small Cities of Character" which border the Sarthe, and in the fortified village of Bourg le Roi.

In a forest setting of 70 hectares, at the foot of a 16th - century castle, Pescheray in Perche Sarthois invites you to mix with the bears, wolves, bisons and lemurs.