Camping d'Evron

A hotspot for history, the medieval Château de Sainte-Suzanne (15 minutes’ drive) invites visitors to rove the ramparts and learn about how it successfully resisted William the Conqueror. As well as the usual guided and audio tours, the castle also has an extensive events programme of concerts and activities for the kiddos. Go further back in time at the Des Erves dolmen megalithic site, the Mayenne area’s oldest listed monument, and admire the architectural remnants of a Gallo-Roman city at Jublains’ archaeological museum (both around 15 minutes) while you’re at it. Back in the present day, there’s horse riding, climbing and biking in the Tyrolean forest (half an hour’s drive), while other outdoorsy options include the watersports, pony rides, miniature golf and small trains at Sillé-le-Guillaume (25 minutes). Urban expeditions will take you to towns such as Le Mans (an hour) – while in this swish settlement bound over to the Bugatti circuit to see the renowned racetrack for yourself and to cast eyes upon the cracking cathedral in the town centre.