Sarthe, France
Self-catering Villas, Cottages and Apartments in Sarthe
The pretty department of Sarthe, named after the Sarthe River, is situated in the region of Pays-de-la-Loire. It’s found in the north eastern part of France - south of Basse-Normandie and on the south edge of the Massif Central. When you stay in a Sarthe holiday rental cottage or villa, you’ll discover to the north that the countryside is similar to the rolling hills of Normandy. To the south are the vineyards of the Loire valley. Sarthe's three main rivers and 465 streams make it a fisherman's paradise!
Le Mans is the capital of Sarthe - where more than half of the department's population lives – and it’s also located on the river Sarthe. The rest of the department retains its charming rural character – another reason to holiday in Sarthe.
Le Mans has been host to the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car race since 1923. The race is held here every June. Le Man's Musee de L'Automobile is worth visiting with its collection of race winners up to the present day.
Another reason to visit Le Mans when you rent a holiday home in Sarthe is to visit the Cathedral St –Julien. It’s said to rival that of Chartres and has a fabulous 12th century stained-glass window.
Le Mans has a well-preserved old town where the cobbled streets and half-timbered house fronts provided the setting for Gérard Depardieu in Cyrano de Bergerac. There are remnants of a Roman wall in the old town and Roman baths by the river. These walls are highlighted every summer (July and August) evening in a light show that tells the history of the town.
La Flèche is another town with remarkable architectural heritage including fortresses and elegant manor houses. The Romanesque style is still present in the region: make time to visit Sarthe’s villages, churches and chapels from the 11th and 12th centuries. The Zoological Park of La Flèche, nestled in a naturally wooded site, boasts over 1200 animals. It presents dazzling shows featuring eared seals, parrots, and falconry on horseback.
Travelling to your Sarthe holiday rental property
By road: Journey time from Paris via the A10 and A11 auto routes is approximately 2hours and 15 minutes. From Calais the journey time is just over 4hours. By rail: The Gare du Mans is the main railway station of Le Mans. It takes 1 hour to reach Paris from Le Mans by TGV high speed train. There are also TGV connections to Lille, Marseille, Nantes, Rennes and Brest. Gare du Mans is also a hub for regional trains. By air: There are no airports situated in this department. Flights can be taken from the neighbouring department at the Tours Val Loire Airport which offers regular Ryan air flights to Dublin and London Stansted.