The birthplace of the Plantagenet dynasty, the City of Art and History of Le Mans, the former capital of Maine, has retained a prestigious built heritage from its eventful past. Proof of this is provided by its historical quarter, the Plantagenet city, a harmonious ensemble of nine hectares and a listed protected area, defended by an imposing Roman wall from the end of the 3rd century. The Cathedral of St. Julian, half-Romanesque and half-Gothic; the former palace of the Counts of Maine, where Henry II Plantagenet was born; the paved side streets lined with countless timber-framed houses and Renaissance mansions make it an ideal set for swashbuckling films! Old Le Mans, with its fabulous décor, was in fact used as a set for many historical films, like Cyrano de Bergerac and Le Bossu. It is also an ideal setting for lovers of old buildings, who can travel along its picturesque streets admiring the superb façades to their hearts' content. Houses of particular interest include Queen Berengeria's House, the Two Friends' House and Adam and Eve's House, all three adorned with sculpted details...

The Cathedral of St. Julian, built between the 11th and 15th centuries, is 134 metres long with a surface area of 5,000 m², making it one of the biggest cathedrals in France! Its exceptional Gothic chevet, 12th-century south door, impressive Romanesque nave and 13th-century Gothic chancel make it a splendid example of medieval religious architecture. Cast your eyes upwards and gaze at the magnificent Romanesque windows, including the famous stained glass window of the Ascension, from the early 12th century, as well as the remarkable fresco of the heavenly concert by 47 musician angels, from the late 14th century, painted on the vaults of the Chapel of the Virgin!

Not far from the cathedral, the Museum of Queen Berengeria, based in three beautiful old houses, contains collections of regional art, ethnography and local history.

Also worth a look is the Tessé Museum, located in the old 19th-century bishop's palace and remarkable for its masterpiece, the Plantagenet enamel – an enamelled copper plate from the 12th century - its Egyptian antiques, and its collections of French, Italian, Flemish and Dutch paintings ranging from the 15th to the 20th century.

To relax after your visits, head to the Horticultural Garden, a wonderful park of five hectares created under the Second Empire, consisting of a French-style garden with a rose garden, and an English-style garden with a water feature and hundred-year-old trees.

In July and August, at nightfall, don't miss the Night of the Chimeras (Nuit des Chimères), a magnificent visual and sound show that celebrates the heritage of Old Le Mans!

Other events include the Europa Jazz Festival, in the spring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a prestigious long-distance car race in June, and the literary salon, the 25th Hour of the Book, in October, to name but a few.

The old Cistercian Abbey of God's Piety in L'Épau, founded in 1229 by Berengeria of Navarre, widow of King Richard the Lionheart, has been owned by the General Council of Sarthe since 1959. A listed historic monument, the abbey is located in the commune of Yvré-l'Évêque and is home to the Sarthe Cultural Centre, which regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, conferences and classical music concerts.

Sights to see on a visit: the abbey church and its flat chevet decorated with a rose, the beautiful chapterhouse and the recumbent statue of Queen Berengeria of Navarre, the dormitory and its wooden vault, the scriptorium, sacristy, cloister garden, and pleasant park which is ideal for a leisurely stroll.

Classical music lovers should not miss the L'Épau Festival in May, with a programme of chamber music, symphonic music, recitals...

Located 6 kilometres south of the centre of Le Mans, near the mythical Circuit of the 24 Hours, the famous car racing circuit known for its legendary long-distance races, the Museum of the 24 Hours tells the story of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the development of the car in a fun and original way, with a permanent exhibition covering 4,000 m². To the delight of racing car fans, over 150 competition vehicles, including models that have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, are on display there!

After your visit, follow in the footsteps of the great drivers by taking to the steering wheel of a kart or mini-kart, on one of the Alain Prost karting circuit's two tracks. Adrenalin guaranteed!

Nestling on the banks of the Huisne, at the heart of the peaceful countryside of Perche Sarthois, the medieval town of La Ferté-Bernard is full of picturesque charm, with its many canals and beautiful old houses. Once you have passed through the imposing St. Julian's Gate, a relic of the old ramparts, you can wander along the streets of Huisne and Carnot, admiring the superb timber-framed façades along the way. You can also contemplate the splendid Flamboyant Gothic architecture of the Church of Our Lady of the Marshes, built in the 15th and 16th centuries. Inside is a Renaissance chancel, magnificent stained glass windows from the 15th, 16th and 19th centuries, a swallow's nest organ from 1536 and an alabaster treasure from the 15th century.

And to discover the Little Venice of the West from a different angle, there is nothing like a trip in an electric boat along the canals, departing from the pier near the tourist office.

In May, La Ferté-Bernard hosts the Artec festival, a famous festival of Arts and Technologies that includes robot tournaments.

Nestling at the edge of the Mancelles Alps, the small character town of Fresnay-sur-Sarthe, a labelled green resort, forms a picturesque ensemble with its old castle ramparts, ancient houses, bridge over the Sarthe and verdant riverbanks. A harmonious scene that can be admired from the banks of the Sarthe, as well as from the public garden of the castle that overlooks the river.

A 15th-century relic, the castle's postern, located at the entrance to the garden, is now home to the A. Loré Museum of the Middle Ages, all about the medieval era. A few streets away, the Romanesque Church of Our Lady, adorned with a remarkable carved oak door from the 16th century, is another gem to admire in the medieval town.

Also worth a look is the Headdress Museum, based in the Lion Room (Salle du Lion), which has a superb collection of Sarthe headdresses from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The magnificent 2,400-hectare state-owned Bellême forest, located in Le Perche Regional Nature Park north of the town of Bellême, is famous for its majestic oak and beech trees.

Lying in a green setting in the heart of the forest is Etang de la Herse lake, whose banks make an ideal spot for relaxing or having a picnic, and are the departure point for various walking trails.

As well as being a favourite destination for walkers, Bellême is also loved by mushroom enthusiasts, professional and amateur, as its undergrowth is home to a multitude of species. Every year from late September to early October, the Mycologiades Internationales de Bellême event organises picking trips in the forest for novices and experts, talks, workshops and a display of the mushrooms collected by the participants.

Walkers should make a point of going to admire the Chêne de l'École, an oak tree growing near the charming village of La Perrière. This fantastic 300-year-old oak stands at a height of over 40 metres!

The small town of Bellême at the forest's edge is worth the trip for its built heritage, which includes mansion houses, a 15th-century porch and a Classical-style church.

Towering over the charming little character town of Montmirail, this fortress-style residence was built between the 15th and 18th centuries and offers a lovely panoramic view of Perche-Gouët from its keep. The castle is open to the public from May to September. As well as visiting the underground arms rooms, dungeon and the grand drawing room of the Princess of Conti, visitors can learn all about the history of the place.

Some thirty kilometres south-east of Le Mans, bordering the village of Jupilles, Bercé National Forest is one of the most beautiful forests in France. It covers 5,400 hectares and is made up of 3,000 hectares of oaks and 2,400 hectares of conifers.

Famous for the quality of its oak trees, this verdant territory boasts some remarkable specimens, which can reach a height of fifty metres! To admire them, head to Les Clos Forest, a protected area full of immense old oaks, over 300 years old...

Take a path or trail, on foot, horseback or mountain bike, and take advantage of this haven of peace, which is home to 65 different bird species, to relax and enjoy some fresh air. Dotted with springs and streams, Bercé Forest also contains two beautiful natural sites for you to discover: the Hermitière Springs and La Coudre Fountain, the source of Le Dinan, complete with a discovery trail.

Le Perche Regional Nature Park (Parc Naturel Régional du Perche) is horse breeding country. It spans 182,000 hectares and two départements, the Orne in Normandie and the Eure-et-Loir in Centre-Val de Loire. Comprising countryside alternating between forests, hedged farmland, meadows and gentle hills dotted with old manor houses, fortified farms and typical villages, the park is a popular destination for nature lovers and fans of traditional architecture. It is also a paradise for horse riding enthusiasts with its many studs, riding centres and footpaths.

The park visitor centre (Maison du Parc) in Nocé, housed in the elegant Manoir de Courboyer and its outbuildings, features an exhibition on the history of Le Perche and a tourist information centre. The 87-kilometre tourist discovery trail departing from Nocé is a good way of exploring Le Perche's most beautiful manor houses.

Also not to be missed are the beautiful Bellême and Réno-Valdieu forests, ideal places for a walk, recharging your batteries, picking mushrooms or simply listening to nature!

If you're interested in popular arts and traditions, then make a point of visiting Le Perche heritage museum (Ecomusée du Perche) housed in the old Sainte-Gauburge priory in Saint-Cyr-la-Rosière!

Nestling on the banks of a meander of the Sarthe, at the heart of the Mancelles Alps, in the Normandy-Maine Regional Nature Park, the pleasant village of Saint-Léonard-des-Bois carries the "green resort" label. With its unspoilt natural environment, it is a choice spot for fans of outdoor leisure activities. As a green tourism destination, Saint-Léonard-des-Bois is a base for a number of activities such as hiking and mountain biking, mountain climbing, horse-riding and canoe-kayaking.

Discover the Domain of Le Gasseau, a leisure park for all the family offering exhibitions, concerts and discovery workshops, as well as visits to the kitchen garden, a treetop adventure course, footpaths, mountain bike circuits and horse-riding activities!

East of Alençon, near Neufchâtel-en-Saosnois, in the Normandy-Maine Regional Nature Park, the old royal forest of Perseigne, full of oaks, beech trees and pines, covers over 5,000 hectares. A number of animal species live in its undergrowth: red deer, roe deer, boar, squirrels, hares, and a hundred or so bird species... The hilly territory of Perseigne National Forest, which contains around 200 kilometres of signposted circuits, is a choice location for hiking and mountain biking.

At the heart of the forest, the Perseigne belvedere, at an altitude of 340 metres, is the highest point of the department of Sarthe. At the top is a superb panoramic view of the forest, Saosnois and the Alençon plain!

At the heart of the verdant Sillé Forest, in the Normandy-Maine Regional Nature Park, lies the peaceful Sillé Lake, a beautiful 32-hectare expanse of water where you can practise lots of different water sports: sailing, swimming (the landscaped beach is supervised in July and August), canoe-kayaking, fishing, pedalo, boat trips... As well as these activities, you can also take a ride on the little train around the lake, relax on the sandy beach and the shady lawns, or go on a mountain bike ride, climb, hike or horse ride in the pleasant Sillé Forest.

A few kilometres south of the lake, architecture-lovers can discover the built heritage of the town of Sillé-le-Guillaume, which contains relics from the past such as the 15th-century feudal castle, with its machicolated towers, and the Church of Our Lady, an old castral collegiate church with a 12th-century Romanesque crypt.

Capital of Perche, Nogent-le-Rotrou charms the visitor with its rich heritage, and in particular with its medieval castle overlooking the Huisne valley from its rocky mountain spur. The fortress, consisting of an oblong keep, a Renaissance lodge and a surrounding wall flanked by towers, is home to a museum about the history of the castle and Perche. Besides its fortified castle, the city possesses beautiful old houses, which we can be discovered in the Bourg-le-Comte street and the Saint-Laurent street.

A medieval festival called Percheval that honours the Percheron horse takes place there every Ascension weekend.

Located at the edge of the departments of Sarthe, Mayenne and Orne, in the Normandy-Maine Regional Nature Park, the Mancelles Alps are traversed by the River Sarthe and offer nature-lovers a variety of steep valleys, hedged farmland meadows and rocky, wooded cliffs. Fishing, canoe-kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and horse-riding are some of the activities you can do in this verdant area.

Some places are particularly worth a look, such as the Misère Valley, with its sparse landscapes dotted with fallen rocks, broom and heather, the picturesque village of Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei in Orne, and the green resort of Saint-Léonard-des-Bois in Sarthe.

The towns of Alençon and Argentan owe their fame to the refined and delicate needlepoint lace made there by hand using a needle and linen thread since the 17th century. Visitors can find out all about this exceptional know-how in several museums, including the lace museum in Argentan (Maison des Dentelles et du Point d'Argentan), and the fine art and lace museum (Musée des Beaux-Arts et de la Dentelle) and Alençon lace museum (Musée de la Dentelle "Au point d'Alençon"), both in Alençon. Lace fans will be bowled over by their absolutely stunning collector's pieces!

The National Lacemaking Workshop (Atelier National du Point d'Alençon), not open to the public, keeps this unique lacemaking tradition alive.

The town of Alençon, once the seat of the Dukes of Normandy and today the capital of the Orne, has been famous for its unique lace pattern since the 17th century. It also boasts a rich architectural and cultural heritage.

Alençon's old quarter, a source of inspiration for famous French novelist Honoré de Balzac, is dotted with half-timbered houses and mansions with wrought-iron balconies, making it a lovely place to explore. Among the must-see places of interest are Notre-Dame church with its superb early 16th-century Flamboyant Gothic-style porch; the Maison d'Ozé, the Duke of Alençon's former residence, with its conservation orchard; the Château des Ducs and its machicolated towers; and the birth house of St Theresa of Lisieux and its chapel. Another leading attraction in the town is the fine art and lace museum (Musée des Beaux-Arts et de la Dentelle) housed in the old Jesuit college and home to sumptuous collections of lace and paintings.

A colourful market selling delicious produce takes place every Thursday and Saturday morning on Place de la Magdeleine at the foot of Notre-Dame church.

The village of Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei lies in the heart of the Mancelles Alps in Normandie-Maine Regional Nature Park overlooking a meander of the Sarthe and is listed as one of France's Most Beautiful Villages. This charming and very romantic place was the source of inspiration for many famous painters including Corot, Courbet and Harpignies. The picturesque bridge spanning the river, pretty stone houses, Romanesque church and Gothic Petit Saint-Céneri chapel make it a lovely place for a stroll.

The village church is topped by a fine bell tower and contains some notable frescoes dating from the 12th and 14th centuries, including depictions of Christ in Majesty, the Virgin in a mantle and the hermit St Céneri.

From the chevet of the church you have a beautiful view over the green banks of the Sarthe.

In the commune of Bessé-sur-Braye, in the middle of a vast estate of 68 hectares, stands an elegant medieval and Renaissance castle. Made up of two distinct parts – a small castle and a big castle – the inside is open to visitors from April to September. Courtanvaux Castle has a splendid Renaissance entrance postern, which is a listed Historic Monument, and is surrounded by beautiful spaces that are ideal for a leisurely stroll. The French-style garden of the court of honour, English-style park, peaceful lake, hiking paths through woods and fitness trail, as well as a picnic area and games for children, are accessible all year round and make the place popular with walkers.

In the summer, the castle grounds host a visual arts festival, with displays of paintings, sculptures and pottery by regional artists. Also of interest is the Courtanvaux Garden Festival (Courtanvaux Côté Jardin), a plant festival that takes place in the park in April.

The village of Malicorne-sur-Sarthe on the banks of the Sarthe is famous for its artistic earthenware. Be sure to visit Malicorne Earthenware Space - located on the site of an old 19th-century stoneware factory, this fun and interactive space tells the story of earthenware in Malicorne from the 18th century to our days, through its collections of old and contemporary ceramics.

There are also guided tours of the artistic earthenware workshops, so visitors can learn about the different stages of earthenware production, including the famous piercing technique, a speciality of Malicorne.

The small town of Mortagne-au-Perche has preserved some beautiful heritage from its past as the historic capital of the county of Le Perche. Its places of interest include: Place du Général de Gaulle, the lively centre of town with a corn exchange; the narrow paved streets lined with old houses; the Flamboyant Gothic-style Notre-Dame church which contains 18th-century wood panelling; the charming garden of the town hall with its formal flowerbeds; Saint-Denis gate, a vestige of the old fortifications; and the Maison des Comtes du Perche, which houses the town library and Musée Alain. This museum is dedicated to philosopher Emile-Auguste Chartier, known as Alain, who was born in Mortagne, and has manuscripts, photos, objects and publications on display. Talks about the philosopher (Les Journées Alain) are held there every first weekend of October.

Each third weekend in March, the village speciality – black pudding (blood sausage) – is honoured during a well-known festival, the Foire au Boudin de Mortagne.

Welcome to one of the most surprising and picturesque villages in Loir-et-Cher! Overlooking the Loir valley, Trôo is known for its cave dwellings, houses dug into the cliff whose origins date back to medieval times. You can discover this curiosity in more detail on a guided tour that takes place on the first Sunday of each month between May and September. The village's charm lies in its very distinctive layout: terraces on three levels, caves, paths and steps. The many flights of steps make it easy to go from one level to another.

Don't miss two other must-see sites in Trôo: the "talking well" 45 metres deep, and the petrifying cave whose name comes from the limestone water flows that crystallise objects. Continue to wander through the narrow streets, discover the many artists' studios and climb up to La Butte, an artificial hill, for an exceptional view of the surrounding countryside. Continue your stroll and admire the ancient gates and ramparts, vestiges of a distant time, the Collegiate Church of St. Martin, the Rock of St. Gabriel and the Lazaret of St. Catherine, a former leper hospital from the 12th century.

On the opposite bank to the cave village of Trôo, in the heart of the Loir valley, the Romanesque church of Saint-Jacques-des-Guérets is a splendid building in Loir-et-Cher. Built in the 12th century on the road to Santiago de Compostela, it contains magnificent wall frescoes in a mixture of blue, emerald and green, representing scenes from the Gospel such as the Nativity or the Crucifixion. Although they date from the 12th century, they were only discovered in 1890 and 1891, and some parts are still very well preserved. Inside, you can also see a nave without a vault, a semi-circular apse lit by three windows, and 16th-century panelling.

The inspiration for many of his poems, La Possonnière Manor is no less than the birthplace of Pierre de Ronsard. Located in Couture-sur-Loir in the department of Loir-et-Cher, he was born there in 1524 and spent his entire childhood there. The building dates from the end of the 15th century and you will see a number of Renaissance influences, like the sculptures adorning the façade and the monumental fireplace in the main room.

Plants have pride of place at La Possonière Manor, as you can see from the various gardens (rose garden, kitchen garden...) that surround it. In the woodland park, take the time to read the various educational signs about the fauna and flora, as well as extracts from the poet's works. A romantic place where the scent of the flowers instantly sweeps us away to his world.

Located in the western part of the department of Sarthe, the Sarthe Valley, both peaceful and verdant, is dotted with lovely stopping places. Whether you are travelling on foot, by car, or even better, by boat or canoe-kayak, give in to the charms of this peaceful valley and set off to discover its treasures: the Benedictine abbey of Solesmes, a major centre for Gregorian chant, the town of Sablé-sur-Sarthe with its 18th-century castle and marina, the small character town of Parcé-sur-Sarthe, the earthenware town of Malicorne-sur-Sarthe...

To appreciate the valley's natural and built landscapes from the water, you can take a boat ride from the harbours at La Suze-sur-Sarthe, Sablé-sur-Sarthe and Malicorne-sur-Sarthe.

When visiting Sablé-sur-Sarthe, take a gourmet break and enjoy the famous shortbread biscuits from the House of Shortbread (Maison du Sablé)!

Game-filled Écouves forest, situated in the Normandie-Maine Regional Nature Park between Alençon, Carrouges and Sées, spans a vast 15,000 hectares, 8,200 of which are state-owned. Its sessile oaks, beech trees and Scots pines make it a delight for nature lovers. Its highest peak is the Signal d'Écouves at an altitude of 413 metres. The forest is an ideal destination for walking – it's crossed by two Grande Randonnée hiking trails (22 and 36) – and, in autumn, mushroom picking!

The small character town of Asnières-sur-Vègre is one of the most beautiful villages in Sarthe! Take a walk and discover its medieval atmosphere and built heritage full of picturesque charm: the Romanesque Old Bridge over the peaceful waters of the Vègre; the Courthouse, also known as the Temple, built in the 13th century; and the surrounding area with a charming rose garden, old houses from the 15th to the 17th century and more.

The village is also famous for its small Church of St. Hilary, which contains remarkable listed wall paintings inside. Produced at the request of the canons of Le Mans between the 12th and 16th centuries, these superb frescoes illustrate the Adoration of the Magi, the Presentation at the Temple, the Flight to Egypt, and scenes from Hell...

The shady banks of Asnières, an ideal spot for a moment's reverie, as well as the pretty view from the Old Bridge over the Vègre, further add to the appeal of the place.

Art-lovers should not miss Asnières on Canvas (Asnières sur Toiles), an exhibition of artists with a painting contest in the street, in the first weekend of June!