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Motorhoming in Sarthe
Motorhoming in Sarthe
Sarthe is the north eastern most of the five departments of the Pays de la Loire. This is a rural department and more than half of its small population live in and around the town of Mans, famous for its 24 hour motor race.
Existing since the 3rd century, Le Mans has preserved the heritage of its colourful past and bears witness to the passage of William the Conqueror who built a château just outside the town, and is the birthplace of the French car industry. Le Mans is home to around fifty historical monuments and the ‘parcours lumière’ is a journey in to the past of one of the first French towns to have been supplied with electricity. The 24 hour race which takes place just outside the town exists since 1923 and was created to enhance the image of the motorcar and help make technical advances. It was the first race of its type, a test of endurance, and the 13 or so kilometres of route are shared between the Bugatti Circuit and normal roads.
Sablé sur Sarthe is a pretty river town which developed around the water transport of sand from the Loire which crossed the town by way of the canalled river Sarthe, hence the name ‘sablé’ or ‘sandy’. This elegant town was built in the style of the 18th century and the whole town was given a new lease of life at the same time when its château, the Château de Torcy was built.
Sablé sur Sarthe, like many of the towns in the department, is a centre for canal tourism but if you’re hiring a motorhome in France or hiring a motorhome in England you can benefit from the green countryside through which these canals and the numerous rivers flow. Tow paths are always nice environments to go for a stroll or do a bit of cycling. If you’re doing some motorhome travel in France, park up in an Aires de Service in Sarthe, get the bikes off the rack and have a break from the road.
Other interesting towns along the route are La Ferté Bernard, crossed by many canals and known as ‘the little Venise of the West’. With its Renaissance houses, elegant architecture and decorative sculptures, it invites you to enter the town through its enormous gateway, La Porte Saint Julien, built in the middle ages, and discover the most beautiful church in Sarthe, Notre Dame des Marais which throughout its construction, starting in the 14th century and continuing up to 1624, has assembled a multitude of wonderful architectural detail. Also the town of La Flèche, with its national military school. It was Napoleon who converted this college into a military school where officers were recruited from preparatory schools. The buildings are sumptuous and house an extensive library containing volumes from the 15th century.
Don’t miss anything in Sarthe before continuing motorhoming in Mayenne, motorhoming in Maine et Loire, motorhoming in Centre or motorhoming in Basse Normandie.
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