The Sarthe is home to many tourist sites and leisure parks where you can have fun. Interactive and educational visits to the museum, discovery around animals, sports or recreational day, find ideas for activities to share with the family.
Fun tours for young and old
Slipping into the shoes of a knight, exploring the forest, spinning on an authentic steam locomotive or aboard the mine train: treat yourself to a relaxing break with your family.
The Manoir de la Cour
Located in the small town of Asnières-sur-Vègre, the Manoir de la Cour is a 13th century stately home which houses an interactive exhibition on medieval history and daily life at that time. Children can even dress up on site for complete immersion! Don’t miss the Rendez-vous du Moyen Age: demonstrations of cooking techniques, medieval encampment… You will learn everything about this period in history.
Carnuta, the House of Man and Forest
Interpretation center of the Bercé forest, Carnuta is a fun and interactive place to discover and understand the forest world. It reserves a didactic exhibition space animated throughout the year by shows, storytelling, creative workshops or themed outings in the forest.
The Museotrain
The Semur-en-Vallon Muséotrain plunges us into the world of railways from the 1900s to the 1950s. To discover it, climb aboard the red train which will take you to the heart of the Muséotrain . It retains a dozen historic wagons and locomotives presented in an interactive museography. End the adventure with a short train ride through the Sarthe countryside.
Papea Parc, the unmissable amusement park
At the gates of Le Mans, Papea Parc is the ideal place for family fun! Take on the rapids of the “River Splash”, embody a pirate for a trip, or board the mine train for a first sensational adventure… The thirty attractions will delight young and old alike.
How to come ?
Discover farm animals
You have probably already visited one of the great zoos in Sarthe , but have you thought about getting closer to the farm animals? Dairy cows, very soft alpacas or rustic animals, the youngest will necessarily be up for a visit to the farm!
Cuddle dairy cows
Find out how a family dairy farm operates in the village of Écorpain. Enter the enclosures of the beautiful Primolsteins and, if they wish, give them a big hug! La Ferme les Deux Sabots also organizes pancake workshops and “coffee in the meadow” to enjoy among the cows!
The kingdom of alpacas
Meet Géraldine’s adorable alpacas at Paradis de la Charnie in Saint-Symphorien. Approach this calm, intelligent and docile animal and discover the transformation process of its fleece, the treasure of the Incas. The farm is also home to Kune Kune pigs, Bourbonais donkeys, Angora goats and dwarf rabbits.
Nature Ark Farm
The countryside invites itself to Le Mans at the Arche de la Nature. Here, the barn of the Maison de la Prairie sheepfold is home to many hardy breeds such as the Saosnoise cow, the Norman donkey, the Belle-Isle sheep, the Black du Mans hen or the Rex rabbit. The stable also accommodates a dozen Percheron horses.
Climb trees or try rock climbing
Are your children athletic at heart? Are you looking for an idea for an outing to spend while having fun? Head to Tépacap at Le Mans to try climbing! For juniors, an original via ferrata route begins on the climbing wall and ends in the trees.
In Sillé-le-Guillaume, toddlers can learn about tree climbing in the adventure park Les Tyroliennes de la forêt thanks to its new 12-game net course accessible from the age of 2 years. Thrill seekers will choose the Escal’abre course at 10 m high with a bike in the air.
At the Gasseau adventure park in the Mancelles Alps, the family course accessible from 6 years old remains a pleasant route to share a discovery session of tree climbing suitable for all levels.
And if the weather isn’t great, head to the Vertical’ Art complex in Le Mans. This bouldering room allows you to climb 4.50 m walls without ropes or harnesses. Mats on the ground help cushion falls! A space is even accessible to children from 4 years old.
