Please see the
Area Map for location and driving details of most of the places
described below. We would strongly recommend that you only use this
information to supplement a good quality road atlas.
Places to
Visit Nearby
The
central position of Lassay makes it an ideal centre for
exploring this part of France. There are many small
towns and villages each with its own charm. In
particular Les
Villes et Villages Fleuris, who put on the most
wonderful floral displays in the summer are all well
worth visiting, Especially the village of St. Fraimbault
which is a previous winner of the 'grand prix national
de fleurissement'. Here also you will find a lake with
fishing, and pedalos, also tennis and mini-golf.
Lassay-les-Chateaux has three
Castles (Chateaux) two of which are ruins. The third has lovely grounds to walk around
with a small lake. There are also guided tours at
regular intervals during the summer months of the castle
itself. Just across the main road from Le Chateau is a
large car park. If you walk through the car park you
will find a lovely rose garden with some very
interesting history.
Jublains - This is the main Gallo-Roman site in the West of
France. Museum and Roman ruins.
Just outside Mayenne to the south east on the D7.
St-Fraimbault
(Orne) – a glorious flower village situated
less than 15 miles to the the north west of Lassay between Domfront and Mayenne
on the D24. This village is famous for it’s fantastic
collection and display of flowers and will provide hours
of pleasure to walk about and have a picnic. It can get
extremely busy on a bright sunny day. Be aware, there are
three St Fraimbaults around the Lassay area.
Bagnoles de l'Orne
- a lovely bustling spa town should not be missed for a
walk around the lake and the park area. There are lots
of cafes, restaurants, up market shops and even a
Casino. There are tennis courts, open air swimming pool,
horse riding lots of other activities. There is a lovely
little church in the quieter part of town and just outside
the town is a magnificent
Chataeou.
Domfront - about 25 miles
north west of Lassay. A lovely town with lots of
history and a castle ruin on the hill. Lots of
interesting shops and places to visit. Very good tourist
centre on the hill.
Le Village Enchante - For the children there is 'The
Enchanted Village' with Noah's Ark and his animals, a
little train, the Valley of fairy tales, and much more.
This lies approximately 20 miles to the
north west of Domfront in Bellefontaine near Mortain.
There is a Cider museum at La Durtiere, Melleray la
Vallee, approximately
5 miles north west of Lassay. Take the road out of
Lassay (near Le Chateau) to Noirt-la-Fontaine and then
turn right on to the D129 to Melleray-la-Vallee. You can
taste the products which are also for sale.
La
Ferte Mace - about 20 miles to the
north east of Lassay close to Bagnoles-de-L'Orne.
There is a leisure lake, with a small beach and pedalos.
Here too there is fishing, tennis and horse riding. La
Ferte Mace also has a toy museum.
Sille-le-Guillaume - A very nice leisure lake with beach -
"Coco Plage", with donkey rides and a small train runs around
the lake. Lots of other activities and lovely walks in the
forest. About 35 miles south east of Lassay on the D34 to Mayenne
and then approx 25 east from Mayenne on the D35.
Jardin des Renaudies - Gorgeous public gardens in
Colombiere-du-Plessis near Gorron approximately 25
miles west of Lassay.
Chateau de Sassy - An eighteenth century chateau with a French
Arts and Crafts garden designed by Achille Duchene, in the 1920s,
with topiary, hedges and a parterre de broderie.
Near Argentan approximately 30 miles north east of Lassay.
Vélo Rail - at
Saint Loup du Gast - Another lovely
little town less
than 10 miles south east of Lassay on the D33 and then left on
the D258 just before Ambrieres-les-Vallees (also worth a visit). You
can explore the surroundings country side on the
Vélo Rail, a railcar running on an abandoned SNCF line will take
you 6 km into the heart of the country. Crossing the Rosserie
viaduct, you can enjoy the beauty of the Mayenne valley. Also 12 km
of signposted local paths throughout the valley. You can cross the
waters of the La Monnerie leisure area in an "old-style" ferry.
Val d'Orne Bateau Restaurant
- Set in an area of Normandy called La Suisse Normande (“Normandy
Switzerland), between Flers, Argentan and Flasise, day and night
river cruises with lunch or dinner. See
WEB site for latest details.
Places to
Visit Further Away
To the
north is the area known as
'Suisse Normande'. Here you will find spectacular
scenery as well as the more rugged pursuits of climbing
and canoeing.
The Floral Park of High Brittany is situated about
50 miles west of Lassay just to the north of
Fougeres on the road to the Mont St-Michel and St-Malo.
Wonderful gardens, a tea room, picnic area and a
playground for children.
Féeriques of Montgothier - a Historical pageant
about 15 miles east of Mont-Saint-Michel. Very
spectacular.
The port of St. Marlo is a wonderful medieval city On
the Brittany cost approximately 70 miles east of Lassay.
The city centre is still surrounded by the original city
wall. Lots of shops and restaurants
Le Mont St. Michel - Close to St. Marlo this
enchanting Abbey is built upon a tiny island and becomes
completely isolated at high-tide when this lonesome rock
seems to emerge out of the water. One of the most
impressive monuments of the Middle Ages and a great feat
of monastic architecture. Just north of which lies the
seaside town of Granville.
The Normandy beaches and the Memorial of Caen, The
Palace of Versailles and Monet's garden.
The
Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres, (French: Cathédrale
Notre-Dame de Chartres), located in Chartres, about 110 miles east
of Lassay on the N23/A10 is considered one of the finest
examples in all France of the Gothic style of architecture.
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