Day 1: animal encounters
It’s time for a weekend get-together for young and old in the Alpes Mancelles!
After perhaps a few kilometers in the car, how about relaxing your legs and setting off to meet some small animals? Head for the Coteau des Vignes in Fresnay-sur-Sarthe, where children can pet sheep, goats and lambs… and take advantage of the opportunity to walk around the entire site, which won’t take you more than an hour and offers a breathtaking view of the Sarthe river and the Château de Fresnay. It’s a good opportunity to remind children that, in the days of the knights, castles were built on high ground, often on the banks of the river… natural defensive elements!
Still in Fresnay-sur-Sarthe, but taking the car again, you’re now off to meet some “new” little beasts, the best-known of which is called Maya! As you can see, we’re off to the Bee Museum. During the visit, you’ll learn all sorts of things, and see just how highly organized these “colonies” are.
Animals on the Coteau des Vignes
Musee De Labeille Eductour 30 03 2023 1
View of Fresnay-sur-Sarthe from Coteau des Vignes
Fallow deer at Saint-Léonard-des-Bois wildlife parkAfter a well-earned break and a chance to recharge your batteries, we’d like to invite you to climb one of the two mountains surrounding the village of Saint-Léonard-des-Bois: Mont Narbonne. You’ll have no trouble getting the kids interested when you tell them that up there, not only is there a magnificent view, but above all, there are hundreds of animals ready to be petted. And if you also bring them something to eat, both animals and children will be the happiest.
A place to spend the night?
After all that effort, how about a little comfort? What could be better than to get together around a good table or barbecue, with the kids having fun in the garden and the parents chatting until noon.
The garden at Domaine du Gasseau
Tree climbing at Domaine du Gasseau
Domaine du Gasseau in Saint-Léonard-des-BoisDay 2: a day at Domaine du Gasseau
For Day 2, we’re going to keep travel to a minimum and concentrate on one place, but be warned, a place that will appeal to young and old alike: the Domaine du Gasseau in Saint-Léonard-des-Bois!
While some will be strolling through the garden or the exhibition rooms, others will be climbing trees or riding horses.
While some will be daydreaming on the terrace of the café-nature store, others will be going hiking.
And everyone, at their own pace and according to their own desires, will have enjoyed a great day!”
Multi-day hiking
The Alpes Mancelles are great for hiking! Thanks to the 14 existing circuits, it’s possible to concoct a multi-day itinerary either around Saint-Léonard-des-Bois, with more elevation gain, or around Fresnay-sur-Sarthe. Both are about 50 kilometers long. And for the more “hardcore” hikers, check out the new GR de Pays des Alpes Mancelles and its 89-kilometer trail.
Around Saint-Léonard-des-Bois:
The idea being to have your “base” at Saint-Léonard-des-Bois. That way, one day you can head north toward Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei and another day further south-west towards Saint-Paul-le-Gaultier
Around Fresnay-sur-Sarthe:
Sometimes discovering the town and its nearby countryside and other times heading further north towards the commune of Gesnes-le-Gandelin.
So all that’s left is to make a choice: Saint-Léonard-des-Bois or Fresnay-sur-Sarthe!
As for the GR de Pays, if you do the entire loop, several towns can serve as your starting point. However, be aware that you’ll be on the move, so each night brings new lodging, but also new villages and new landscapes every day.
Hikers in the Alpes Mancelles
View from Mont du Haut-Fourché
Rue du Bourgneuf on the banks of the Sarthe river
