04/02/11

What kind of a holiday do you have in mind? We can help you to find the entertainments  and experiences that you look for in a relaxing or an action-filled holiday and help you to make the most of your precious holiday time. Such as:-

For a full day out spend the day in Paris which is only 116 miles away.Visit the Eiffel Tower, Monmartre, the museums  and dont forget to look up at the wonderful coloured glass roof of the Galerie Lafayette when you are making a tour of the grand department stores. We've left you our maps and guide books.  If you want to relax and travel by train leave your car at Nogent le Rotrou or Le Mans station which is on the main line.

EuroDisney is the other side of Paris but accessible by motorway. Its a long day out but for those with young children it could be  your best excursion yet. The birdsong may be piped through a sound system but the Mouse's Magic is pretty extraordinary.

Closer to home, the Loire Valley and its chateaux make a wonderful series of days out. Once again we have left our own guide book for you. Chartres and it's Cathedral is another favourite of our visitors when it comes to sightseeing and shopping. When I was a child friends took us to the Parc Floral at Loiret - you have to see it if you love visiting gardens.

About 40 minutes away Alencon is probably the more sophisticated shopping centre but Le Mans is excellent too and both have lots of historical interest, museums and art galleries, children's amusements etc.  For a fun afternoon for children there's a playpark in Mamers or the open air heated swimming pool in Belleme. My own personal favourite for local shopping and watching the world go by is Belleme; don't forget to make a purchase at the chocolatier there or to book a meal at the Relais St Louis, a gourmet's paradise. We also keep a list of local market days in our visitor guide.

If its a golf holiday we recommend the Chateau du Golfe in Belleme as one of the most scenic rounds you could play.

L'Hermitage is a cider farm (direction Le Mans) where you can see the art of cider making and the mystery of Calvados explained. If you enjoy local history and architecture Ige and Belleme were the starting point for emigration to Canada in the mid 1600's - you will find a plaque commemorating this in the local church and lots more information at the Tourist Office in Belleme. There are chateaux locally which are privately owned but have weekend and holiday open days, and the chateau at Nogent le Rotrou is probably one of the nearest which is fully open to tourists.

Travelling to and from Ige your restaurant choices can vary from McDonalds on your route via Argentan  to the four star Chateau du Golfe in Belleme, with lots of excellent small local restaurants on the way  Falaise is worth a visit as the birthplace of William the Conqueror - like Joan of Arc, that man is everywhere! Also on your way, depending on your route, is Haras Du Pin, the National Stud of France.

Our visitor file in the house will give you details of heaps more days out and local attractions. You are going to be spoiled for choice, whether you prefer walking in the local forests and admiring the scenery or racing on the circuit at Le Mans or just chilling out!