Camping L'Oeil dans Le Rétro

Passing right by the site and featuring in most local place names, the Sarthe is an obvious port of call for boating, dipping, fishing, and bike rides and strolls along the banks. You needn’t stray very far from the river or your comfy quarters to see some interesting sights: take in the medieval frescoes and mosaic gardens at Asnières-sur-Vègre five minutes’ drive away, then make for the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Peter in Solesmes (10 minutes), a 10th-century pile that’s home to sacred art and (if you time it right) soul stirring services in Gregorian chant. The 10th century seems like recent times compared to the stillness of Saulges (half an hour): wander the wooded canyons amid black sheep and aurochs then visit the prehistoric paintings in the caves. If you prefer things noisier, make time to visit Le Mans, whose race track hosts regular car and truck meets and a sizeable museum as well as the famed 24 Hours circuit. There’s a go-kart track next door if you want a race yourself. Should you be seeking peace after that, the lakeside leisure base at Mansigné (half an hour) has pedalos, fishing and simple snoozes on the beach alongside bike rides and nature walks. Also half an hour away, for wildlife that’s a touch wilder, you can hang with the hippos and beam at the bears at Zoo de La Flèche.