The Sarthe département of the Pays de la Loire region of western France is forever etched in your memory after your first visit.  The lush green countryside, the River Sarthe as it winds through storybook villages, and the many treasures of history and architecture to be found there make the Sarthe very, very special.  So, as we feature one member of our web site from the Sarthe, Château de Vaulogé, we hope we tempt you to reserve a room there for a few nights.  It's really quite convenient to Paris while offering visitors a true French country experience.
 
 

The Sarthe is a pleasant drive west of Paris and only one hour from Paris by train.  It is probably best known for the city of Le Mans and auto racing  -- but all the little places and attractions found there add up to a very rewarding destination.  Forgotten by guide books, département 72 is never overrun by tourists, which is to all our benefit.  One of the highlights of the Sarthe countryside is the river which gives it its name -- a river that gently meanders through the département in a southerly direction, gurgling under beautiful stone bridges, gaining width and volume north of Le Mans and traveling nearly to Angers to meet up with the Mayenne River as they both briefly join the River Maine --  then all three get lost in the mighty Loire.  But it is what happens north of this convergence along the banks of the Sarthe that make both the river and the region a great place to vacation.

Not far from the département's western border with the département of the Mayenne, along the south bank of the Sarthe,  is the absolutely inspiring village of Solesmes and its not-very-old but quite notable abbey, Abbey Saint-Pierre de Solesmes.  If you don't make it to the scheduled (and world-famous) morning chants, be sure to buy the CD in their gift shop.    Don't miss La Crêperie d'Or for lunch.  Try the galettes (buckwheat crêpes) filled with Gruyère cheese and eggs or those with saumon fumé.  Delectable! 

Farther north along this same western edge of the Sarthe you will come upon what is known as the Alpes Mancelles, definitely more hills than mountains, but beautiful nonetheless.  It is here you will discover the village of Fresnay-sur-Sarthe, a beautiful town of stone buildings along the river. Somewhat northeast of Le Mans is the larger town of La Ferté Bernard -- a visit to its beautiful church is worth your time.  Enjoy lunch across the street at the crêperie and wander the side streets where you will find very interesting little shops selling French fabrics, tableware and fine gifts.

Château de Vaulogé  is an elegant castle dating back to the early 15th century.  Situated in the heart of the Sarthe, it benefits from lovely surroundings, its position on the little River Gée, and strong ties to the region stemming from its history as a place of pilgrimage and a judicial branch of local government.  On the edge of its moat stand both a chapel and a prison, indicating the diverse purposes Vaulogé has served in centuries past.

Guest rooms are extremely spacious and tastefully furnished.  All have en suite bathrooms, and several rooms found in the towers are unique and interesting because of their curved walls.  All rooms have large windows overlooking the splendidly landscaped grounds.

             One of many lovely guest rooms at the château
 
 

The château is located in a region offering visitors an abundance of activities:   day trips to the grand châteaux of the Loire Valley, auto racing at Le Mans, visits to the lovely villages we mentioned above and just wandering around the amazingly beautiful countryside.  You may notice the absence of a lot of other traffic on many of the Sarthe's roads -- one feature we can all appreciate.  Open all year, Château de Vaulogé will accommodate guests in six double en suite rooms, four of which can be found in the romantic towers.  Breakfasts are served in a lovely dining room, and your hostess will be happy to advise guests about outings in the region and local fine restaurants for dinner.  A stay at Vaulogé will be long and happily remembered.

Don't forget to mention us when you make your reservations!