Hôtel du Lac The Originals City

Built between two arms of the Huisne, La Ferté-Bernard is nicknamed "the Venice of the West". Legend has it that the city of medieval origins has 365 bridges and footbridges. Why not check it out by taking an electric boat for a bucolic ride. Unless you prefer to stroll through the half-timbered houses, courtyards and passages of its historic town centre.

Built on one of the highest points of the Sarthe, Montmirail offers a remarkable panorama of the region. In addition to the view, this 15th century castle offers a beautiful dive into history where you can hear about the attempted reconciliation organised in 1169 by the King of France between Henry II Plantagenet, King of England, and Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, unless you prefer to follow in the footsteps of the Princess de Conti, daughter of Louis XIV and Miss de La Vallière, who restored the place.

Between Beillé and Bonnétable, a section of the old "Ligne des Ducs" (Dukes' Line) perpetuates the tradition of the railway over 18 km of tourist route thanks to old railcars and "steam locos" pampered by the "Transvap", an association of passionate volunteers. The summer tour (from June to September) includes a visit to the Maison du Potier in Prévelles, the abbey in Tuffé, the vegetable garden in Bonnétable and the former train depot in Beillé.

If the prefecture of the Sarthe owes its fame to its famous car race, its rillettes and its insurance, Le Mans is especially worth a visit for its rich historical heritage gathered within the walls of its Gallo-Roman ramparts, including a superb Gothic cathedral and a network of cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses.