Base de Loisirs de Mansigné

Le Mans (25 minutes’ drive) is famed as the location for its 24-hour motor race, but that’s not the only event staged there, so consider swinging by to see the race car museum or check out the schedule in advance to see if you can pick up tickets for any of the adrenaline-pumping action. And there’s more in Le Mans too – including a cobbled historic centre, a Gallo-Roman turreted wall and a fab cathedral. If those sorts of historic wanders appeal, consider also a trip to Château de la Lude (15 minutes) or scoot down to the banks of the Loire at Angers (an hour) for a massive medieval château with a hefty 17 towers. Impressed by some of the pretty things you’ve seen as you stroll? Slope off to the ceramics museum Faïenceries d'Art de Malicorne (15 minutes) to view production in action and buy your own little bits to admire. Folk more entertained by the natural world will want instead to head off to Zoo de la Flèche (20 minutes), one of the country’s biggest animal parks.