Escape to the heights of Mont des Avaloirs
Where the morning mists caress the moors and the scree slopes whisper of ancient legends, Mont des Avaloirs holds out its arms to you. At an altitude of 417 metres, this giant of the Armorican Massif watches over a secret territory between Mayenne and Orne. Four days to climb the peaks, stroll through brightly painted villages and sample the treasures of a generous land. At the turn of a path, a chapel appears. In a workshop, a cheese-maker shapes his tomme. At the top of the belvedere, the Grand Ouest spreads out beneath your feet. With this "échappée belle", the summit is everywhere: in the views, the encounters and the sensations.
You'll love
Contemplate the horizon as far as the eye can see from the 108-step belvedere
Discover the colorful frescoes of Pré-en-Pail
Decoding the legends hidden in stones
Enjoy a local tomme against the rolling hills of the bocage
Day 1 : between local legends and frescoes
Morning: Sainte-Anne-de-Champfrémont, in the footsteps of the ram's spring
Your adventure begins in Sainte-Anne-de-Champfrémont, a village where legends have been passed down from generation to generation. In front of the mid-17th-century Sainte-Anne chapel, a short stroll takes you to the mysterious Source du Bélier. According to local legend, this spring has miraculous healing powers and has long been a place of pilgrimage.
Lunchtime then takes you to Pré-en-Pail-Saint-Samson. Whether you're in the mood for a crispy pizza at La Sosta or a home-cooked dish at L'Assiette Gourmande, you'll find something to satisfy your appetite.
Afternoon: Pré-en-Pail, where walls tell stories
Join Pré-en-Pail-Saint-Samson for a colorful stroll through its narrow streets. Here, facades aren't just walls, they're canvases on which artists express themselves. Look up to admire the vibrant frescoes that transform the village into an open-air gallery: here, the work of Colombian artists Pac Dunga and Arté Vital; there, the brushes of Normandy painter Bertrand Godard; further on, a smiling Fernandel, enjoying a pizza under the stroke of Lionel Rocton.
For your evening, settle into one of the region's charming accommodations. At La Doucelle, an old mansion transformed into a charming inn, each room is named after a French cult song. At the Lilium Sauvagère in Gesvres, you'll be amazed by the Asian, Egyptian and pre-Columbian sculptures adorning the grounds. For an unusual experience, the Eco Domaine Rêver d'Ailleurs in Champfrémont welcomes you to its cocooning yurt, its gypsy caravan with spa or its Indonesian hut with large Nordic bath. And if you prefer the comfort of a hotel, l'Oasis in Villaines-la-Juhel awaits you with its character-filled rooms in a restored farmhouse.
Day 2 : artisans of taste at the summit of the Grand Ouest
Morning: from goat to cheese, authentic know-how
The day begins with a meeting with Cathy and Olivier at Chèvrerie La Mercerie in Saint-Cyr-en-Pail. Between petting curious goats, they tell you all about their journey from milking to processing, with the simplicity of passionate people.
Continue your gourmet journey to the Boutique de la Fromagerie la Tomme de Pail in Pré-en-Pail. Here, organic milk from Montbéliard and Normandy cows is transformed into cheeses of distinctive character: Tomme de Pail plain, Tomme de Pail morgée with Poiré, Petit Frais de Pail plain or spiced.
For lunch, improvise a picnic with the treasures unearthed this morning, or push open the door of the Au Comptoir grocery store in Pré-en-Pail. Add a few local specialties to your feast, like the numbered beers from local brewery Cousin.
Afternoon: weightlessness at Mont des Avaloirs
It's time to climb the 108 steps to the Mont des Avaloirs lookout. Adorned with a Street Art fresco, this edifice lifts you to the highest point in the Grand Ouest (417 metres). From the summit, the 360° panorama embraces bocages, orchards and forests for up to 100 kilometers around. Below, explanatory panels tell the story of this mysterious place.
For the more adventurous, the Tour de la Réserve awaits you: an 8.2-kilometre trail through the heart of the Mont des Avaloirs regional nature reserve. Moors, rocks and woods are home to almost 4,000 different species. The tour features artistic installations to give you a different view of the forest, an observation fence to discreetly spy on the wildlife, and even a fake dead tree reconstituted in cement that you can enter to discover all the species that live there.
Day 3 : green escape and investigation on the corniche
Morning: l'Échappée Bel'védère by bike
From Pré-en-Pail-Saint-Samson, hop on your bike for the Échappée Bel'védère, a challenging loop over the remains of an old mountain. Attached to the Véloscénie greenway, this escape route takes you off the beaten track to discover unsuspected panoramas on the way to Mont des Avaloirs.
Afternoon: on a mission on the Corniche de Pail
The afternoon is reserved for a fun adventure: a nature escape game on the Corniche de Pail. Armed with your smartphone and guided by Jean-Plume, the Harrier detective, your mission is clear: help Francine the Common Nighthawk find her missing eggs. Riddle by riddle, you'll discover the Corniche moors and the species they shelter. An original way to explore this exceptional natural site, where play becomes a pretext for wonder.
Day 4 : meanders of the Sarthe and a modern saffron farm
Morning: walk along the Sarthe river
For your final day, treat yourself to a leisurely stroll along the Sarthe River in Saint-Pierre-des-Nids. The Moulin de Trotté circuit takes you through woods and meadows, in a landscape shaped by water and time. Or opt for the Promenade Trotté par la Corniche (5.6 km), which offers the finest views of Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei, one of France's most beautiful villages, nestling in a loop of the Sarthe.
Afternoon: meet the saffron masters
End your stay with the discovery of a rare treasure: Louise and Philippe's saffron at the Lou Safran de Gesvres farm. These two enthusiasts have left everything behind to cultivate this precious golden spice using traditional methods. From planting to drying, including the delicate pruning of flowers that only live for a day, they generously share their know-how and culinary advice (booking required).
