Fresnay-sur-Sarthe, Sillé-le-Guillaume, Jublains and Ste Suzanne - Mayenne
Fresnay-sur-Sarthe is the "capital" of the Alpes Mancelles, located at the southern end of that area. Further south, Sillé Plage is a popular recreation spot by a large lake in the middle of a public forest, where people go for sailboarding, pedaloes, fishing and generally messing about in and near the water. Over the border in the Mayenne, Sainte Suzanne is a fortified medieval town while Jublains is an ancient Roman settlement with an excavated Roman temple, fortress, amphitheatre and baths to explore.
From Ancinnes head towards Bourg le Roi (from la Basse Cour, turn left at the church) but just after the primary school turn left at a bend in the road towards Rouessé-Fontaine. At Ancinette crossroads go straight on.
At Rouessé-Fontaine keep going straight on after the church you will end up going along what looks like a little lane - do not turn or bear left or right at any point - until you reach the old Roman road from Fresnay-sur-Sarthe to Mamers (D310). Turn right towards Fresnay, passing near the A28 Sortie 20 en route. Cross the N138/D438 and keep going to Fresnay-sur-Sarthe and the Alpes Mancelles.
Fresnay-sur-Sarthe - away from the main road in the old town centre there is a network of narrow medieval sreets and alleys. If nothing else, go to the ramparts of the old castle (behind the church of Our Lady) and admire the views looing down over the river. The tourist office near the crossroads in the town centre has lots of free leaflets detailing walks throughout the surrounding region.
From the crossroads near the tourist office head north-west on the D21 to Sougé le Ganelon, a pretty little village which is filled with flower baskets and tubs in summer. The church has some beautiful 20th century stained glass.
From St Georges le Gaultier head south on the D105 towards Sillé-le-Guillaume, passing through Mont-St-Jean and eventually entering the forest of Sillé. In the forest, look for a turn off to your right to the Base de Loisirs. This leads you to Sillé Plage.
Sillé Plage is a popular recreation spot by a large lake in the middle of the forest, where people go for sailboarding, pedaloes, fishing and generally messing about in and near the water. Lots of walks, picnic spots, plus a bar and pizza restaurant on the spot. You can take a tourist train or a boat trip around the perimeter of the lake in season. After Sillé Plage you can visit the nearby town of Sillé-le-Guillaume. At Sillé-le-Guillaume you can take a guided visit of the 15th century chateau fortress of Sillé, which looks down on the town. Visit: Tuesday to Sunday, 14.30 from the chateau or 16.30 from the tourist office, including a tour of the town. Times shown are for July and August - check at the tourist office for out of season times (+33 2 43 20 10 32).
The church of Our Lady of the Assumption boasts 26 beautiful stained glass windows (it forms part of the "Tour of Lights") and an impressive crypt.
The return journey from Sillé to Ancinnes takes 30 minutes returning via Fresnay-sur-Sarthe and the D310. However, if time allows - or as an alternative to visiting Sillé - it is well worth carrying on the D310 south west towards Evron in order to visit the medieval fortified town of Sainte Suzanne (just south of Evron) or the Roman remains at Jublains (just north of Evron).
Jublains is an ancient Roman settlement and the site of a temple, fortress, amphitheatre and baths which can be explored freely. There is also an archaeological museum.
On the border of the Sarthe and the Mayenne departments, the ramparts of the medieval town of Ste Suzanne dominate the river Erve. It is very picturesque and there are some excellent walks to explore its confines; the keep, château, old houses and museum bear witness to its past, steeped in history. It was one of the rare towns in the area to manage to hold out against William the Conqueror, despite being under seige from 1083 to 1087. It fell to the English in 1425 during the Hundred Years War, staying under English rule for 14 years.
The return across country to Ancinnes takes about 60 minutes.
