Less than 30 minutes from Le Vieux Manoir

The cité of Mayenne – 20 minutes

The city of Mayenne boasts stunning architecture and magical river views.

The beautiful Mayenne river is used by locals and tourists to fish, swim, kayak, pedlo and take leisurely boat rides and river walks.

The city is dominated by the Church of Notre Dame which was founded in the year 1110.

There is a weekly market (Mondays) and open air concerts are held weekly during the Summer.

The small windy streets of Mayenne offer the shopper a number of chic boutiques and interesting delights.

There are a good selection of restaurants and bars where you sit and watch the world go by with a large glass of wine. 

Lassay les Châteaux – 20 mins

Step back in time in this beautiful town which will capture your heart forever. The town has a fantastic medieval Château (with guided tours) surrounded by an eerie looking moat.

The town has award winning rose gardens and some small friendly bars and restaurants in the little windy streets where you can enjoy a glass of wine in the summer sun.

Bagnoles de l'Orne – 25 minutes

This is a magnificently chic Spa town set round a lake with thermal baths where you can take health treatments or just taste the water.

There is a lakeside casino, leisure facilities, boats and pedlos and a golf course plus a good choice of restaurants and shops. A land train runs in the summer months which will take you on a tour of the area.

There also pleasant walks through a wooded play area and a choice of ice cream parlous to relax in afterwards. 

Sille le Guillaume – 30 minutes

This is a must place to visit with the children. There is a beautiful, safe swimming lake and beach at Sillé Plage within the national forest of Sillé, where you will find windsurfing, sailing and pedalo hire.  Bicycles can be hired here for the superb trails in the forest which vary in length and difficulty. There are plenty of picnic areas to enjoy your lunch or bbq and also a restaurant for those who would prefer to be waited upon. You can visit the Château, the lake house, board a small train for a fun tour around the lake which takes about 20 minutes or hop aboard the boat "Silius" for a water tour of the lake and forest, this takes a little longer at 30 minutes.  If you enjoy walking there are several walks through and around the woods or why not take a leisurely 2.3mile walk around the lake ending up at one of the bars for a drink or just a crepe. There's mini-golf, pony riding, fishing, tennis, sand-ball, nature walks, swimming, VTT (mountain bike) hire, or you can just relax in a pédalo.  If there is a few of you, why not try your hand at kayaking, canoeing or a catamaran. Cafés, bar and eateries are available all round the site and there is always ample parking. The main town of Sillé le Guillaume, just a short drive away and has many shops, restaurants, bars and pizzerias where you can unwind.

St Leonard des Bois (Alpes Mancelles)

This beautiful village is set in the area named the Alpes Mancelles. The town is set into a lovely Gorge which offers breathtaking views and romantic woodland walks. For the more adventurous this is Kayak hire and you can also enjoy pony trekking. There are also a selection of bars and restaurants which offer magnificent views over the gorge.

Ambrieres-les-Vallées – 25 minutes

Here there is a leisure park with Swimming Pool, Kayaks, electric Boats, tennis, Riverside walks, Horse riding & cycling

Near to Ambrieres in the small hamlet of La Haie Traversaine you can windsurf or sail at the sports centre

Jublains – 25 minutes

This is the most prominent Roman site in the west of France, and the top of the theatre has panoramic views over the Evron plains. The town used  to be a roman settlement and still visible today are the sites and ruins of the fort, baths, temple and theatre.

La Ferté Macé – 30 minutes

There is a large lake here which has a supervised swimming area, pedaloes, kayaks, a mini adventure playground and café bar. This is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon with the children.

Saint Loup du gast - 20 mins away

Velo railway - River with picnic area and nice walks