La Ferme Chauvet

The viewsome village of Asnieres on Vègre 10 minutes' drive away is a top option for an early sightseeing stop, with medieval church frescoes to see and a Romanesque bridge and mosaic garden to snap pics at. Or make straight for Le Mans (35 minutes), for a non-speedy visit its famed racing circuit and a hugely envious look around the Museum of the 24 Hours of Le Mans automobile museum. More restfully, drive for 20 minutes to reach 18th-century Château de Malicornes sur-Sarthe, built on the foundations of a medieval fortress, or delve underground at the Saulges caves (25 minutes), around 20 caverns carved out of the limestone landscape by the Erve river. Two of the caves, Margot’s and Rochefort, are open to the public in the summer season. A waterside leisure centre is just under 15 minutes' drive north west for sandy and watery days, a few minutes' stroll from a sandy beach and several fishing spots of the Sarthe river. Tackle paddleboarding, canoeing and sailing from the centre, or stay on land to try out some paintballing, disc golf or climbing. Sarthe is 35 minutes away.