Green escape in Sarthe
The Sarthe countryside invites you to slow down. Around Sillé-le-Guillaume, alpacas greet you with a gentle gaze, peonies reveal their precious petals, and rescued animals tell their stories of new-found freedom. For a weekend, let yourself be surprised by this countryside that begs to be discovered, caressed and tamed.
You'll love
Dip your hands in the silky wool of alpacas
Stroll through the world's largest collection of peonies
Experience the serenity of horses during an equine mediation session
Share a special moment with the animals rescued from the GroinGroin shelter
Day 1 : from the softness of alpacas to the radiance of peonies
Morning: meet the alpacas at Paradis de la Charnie
Start your day with an unexpected encounter at Paradis de la Charnie in Saint-Symphorien. In her 15-hectare haven of peace on the edge of the forest, Géraldine introduces you to her residents: silky-fleece Huacaya alpacas, Cotentin donkeys, horses, Kune Kune pigs, chickens and dwarf rabbits. The big, soft-eyed alpacas watch you with curiosity. Their calm is contagious, their intelligence surprising. Géraldine tells you their story, that of the "treasures of the Incas", and reveals the secrets of their exceptional fleece. A 1h15 guided tour that reconnects you with the gentleness of animals (booking essential).
Afternoon: in the heart of the peonies at Château de Sourches
The afternoon is reserved for a rare spectacle. In the medieval moat of Château de Sourches, in Saint-Symphorien, Bénédicte de Foucaud has created a botanical treasure: the Peony Conservatory. More than 1400 different varieties flourish here, creating the world's largest collection. Shrubby, herbaceous, hybrid... each peony tells its own story, from ancestral China to modern creations. Once a year, the peony blooms for 15 days. Don't miss this ephemeral spectacle, which transforms the moat into a symphony of colors every May.
For your overnight stay, there are several options: the unusual Tiny House Le P'Tiny d'Aliénor in Rouez with its whirlpool bath overlooking the meadows, the Gîte de la Bretonnerie in Saint-Symphorien in an old farmhouse, the Maison d'hôtes de la Roche Tabary in Bernay-Neuvy-en-Champagne overlooking the river, or the Gîte du Lac in Sillé-le-Guillaume with its roof terrace overlooking the countryside.
Day 2 : Day 2: Encountering nature's benevolence
Morning: bucolic stroll around Lac de Sillé
Start your day with a rejuvenating stroll around Lac de Sillé. The path leads you through landscapes of water and forest. At the turn of a path, the silent remains of the Oppidum emerge, ancient walls of a 9th-century Carolingian fortress that has stood the test of time.
For lunch, there are three places to choose from: theAuberge de la Vègre in Ruillé, where Kathalyne and Lisa will delight you with their family-style cuisine based on fresh local produce; theO'Bistro de SO in Rouez, for a bistronomic meal in a relaxed atmosphere; or the restaurant Le Bretagne in Sillé-le-Guillaume, nestled in a former coaching inn, where chef Jessy Chassais revisits local produce.
Afternoon: moments of complicity with the animals
At the GroinGroin animal sanctuary in Neuvillette-en-Charnie, experience a moving encounter with Nala, Galipette, Victor, Bigoudi, Marguerite and their companions. On a 12-hectare site, nearly a hundred animals rescued from slaughterhouses and abandonment live together in freedom. Pigs, chickens, turkeys, cows, donkeys, horses, goats... each with its own story and personality. A guided tour that invites you to take another look at these usually exploited animals. To be discovered during Happig Days (check upcoming dates on the refuge's website).
Or opt for a more intimate experience at Écolieu de la Bretonnerie in Saint-Symphorien with equine mediation. You don't have to be a rider to enjoy this original discovery. The horses become your partners, creating positive interactions. An authentic encounter with these sensitive animals that will surprise you with its emotional richness.