Local towns and villages

Our local village is a couple of minutes drive away.

With a boulangerie, butchers, epicerie and two restaurants, it's a handy place to find your essentials. 

The church has recently discovered frescoes and worth a look if that interests you.

The old railway track has been converted into a bike trail, with a picnic area with petanque and table tennis. 

La Chartre is a lovely village with a special connection to the 24 hour race in Le Mans - back in the 1960s various teams would stay at the Hotel de France. Every year for the big race  plenty of car enthusiasts pay hommage to the village with their desirable cars.

La Chartre has also become a centre for brocantes, so if antiquities are your thing look no further.

There are also a handful of restaurants and bars and shops. La Chartre is unusual in so much as the busiest time is a Sunday morning, especially if there is a brocantes market.

Poncé has a wonderful chateau and church which are both worth an investigation.

Also of interest is the glass blower (souffler de verre), you can see him at work in his workshop and buy his wares displayed in the shop.

Nearby is Manoir de la Possonnière, the birthplace and home to Pierre Ronsard, the famous poet 

Marçon is a little village which will be of interest to anyone who likes water sports, be it a swim, canoe, sailing, and fishing too.

The beach is small but great for kids. There is a picnic area (with barbecues) and playground and plenty of space to relax.

A bar next to the beach sells ice-creams and simple fast food.

Trôo, a troglodytic village, is one of the prettiest and unusual in our area.

A picturesque settlement built on and in the hillside overlooking the Loir and its valley, the troglodyte town of Trôo is a classified site that you can discover through a maze of small paths and streets.

Le Mans is famous for the 24 hour race and if that's your thing, you can visit the Circuit de la Sarthe and the impressive museum that is on site.

However, there is much more to Le Mans, not least it's historical Plantagenet City and the it's gothic cathedral. 

The annual light show is a spectacular sight and a great way to enjoy an evening in the town throughout the summer months. Known as the Nuit des Chimères, this free event is a must see for all visitors to Le Mans.

Tours is a beautiful and vibrant university town.

Visit the centre where there is good shopping to be done but more interesting is it's historic quarters with half-timbered houses, the bustling Place Plumereau and Saint-Gatien Cathedral, as well as the new Olivier Debré Contemporary Art Centre.

Vendome is a charming little town. In particularly, the old village, a pedestrian only area, dominated by the abbey church La Trinite, is charming and delightful. The Loir (not the Loire) river flows through town, with little waterfalls and tiny bridges festooned with flower boxes. As the saying goes, a postcard view around every turn.