Non-24h activities around Le Sarthe region

[muppetdave]

This year the 24h will form the end of a week's holiday in the region with the Mrs and baby. Can anyone recommend any particularly worthwhile attractions etc in the area not focusing on the race for the preceding week?

[Skywalker]

If you have not been, then go to the chateau of Chenonceau which is just the otherside of Tours from Le Mans.
The Zoo at La Fleche is phenomenal with the best flying display of birds of prey that I have ever seen.
The polar bears in their habitat tank are stunning too.

Don't forget the build up events and the free pit walks at the track.

[muppetdave]

Thanks for those. I had no idea there was a zoo in La Fleche - we usually go there for dinner on the Sunday night. Definitely keen on a nose around some nice chateaus too.

I think I'll get the Mrs in for a pit walk, but other than the race I think I'll be struggling to wangle too much time there. She didn't seem overly bothered by the Long Beach race on TV for a few hours the other night...

[gt6]

i would also recommend the zoo aswell a couple of years ago about 16 of us went and we all enjoyed it, Le mans is all about rolling back the years for us and walking around the zoo you can forget than you are no longer a teenager

[DS240]

Double check, but believe there is a highly rated big tank museum in samaur, close by. If that is your sort of thing.

[muppetdave]

DS240 said:

Double check, but believe there is a highly rated big tank museum in samaur, close by. If that is your sort of thing.

Mine but not hers...

[indyxe]

DS240 said:

Double check, but believe there is a highly rated big tank museum in samaur, close by. If that is your sort of thing.

There is indeed,, Saumur has one of the biggest tank museums in the world,

Musee de Blindes in Saumur, went here last year, unmissable if you are a fan of all things from WW1 and WW2 to the present day, not just tanks (which they have hundreds) but other military vehicles and equipment.

[eddie man]

What about riding horses? It's not my kind of thing, but great for kids. It's near Changé. Also go to Angers. Lots of shops, café, and theres also the Terrabotanica. It's an adventure park, not really a theme park, more lots of gardens, and plants. You can enter into different enviroments, like desert, and ice conditions, and experience this real time. If it's sunny it's a really laid back place to visit. I think maybe now you can get a tram from the centre of Angers.

http://www.uk.terrabotanica.fr/

[Diamond blue]

All good suggestions and don't forget a good "degustation" at a Vinyard. Le Mans is on the northern edge of the central Loire valley wines. Vouvray is the most interesting.

[dredgey]

If you want to visit some chateaux I personally enjoy Chambord, plus the surrounding forests are great for le picnic! Azay le Rideau is also good as is Chenonceau.

I can definitely recommend Futuroscope. If you've not heard of it its a cinema based theme park. That on its own may sound a bit naff but its a must see. Massive screens, 3D cinemas, 360 degree cinemas, cinemas with moving seats etc etc etc. If you can, also stay for the water/laser show late in the evening its excellent!
http://en.futuroscope.com/

The lakes at the Brenne National Park are also excellent (weather depending)- beaches on the lakes are great with swimming and pedalows etc. http://www.experienceloire.com/la%20brenne.htm

Edited by dredgey on Thursday 19th April 16:22

Edited by dredgey on Thursday 19th April 16:29

[muppetdave]

Thanks chaps, some really good suggestions!

[Skywalker]

dredgey said:

I can definitely recommend Futuroscope. If you've not heard of it its a cinema based theme park. That on its own may sound a bit naff but its a must see. Massive screens, 3D cinemas, 360 degree cinemas, cinemas with moving seats etc etc etc. If you can, also stay for the water/laser show late in the evening its excellent!
http://en.futuroscope.com/

good call. We went last in July 2010. Very worth the trip.

[rlw]

Villandry; Azay le Rideau; the chateau at Angers (and the amazing tapestry of the end of the world); Chinon; the drive from Chateau du Loir to Chinon on the back roads.

[dredgey]

Skywalker said:

good call. We went last in July 2010. Very worth the trip.

I plan to go again soon as I havent been for a few years so I imagine they've added a few extra attractions since I last went. My dad lives in that neck of the woods so might bring him along as he hasn't been since the 90's!

[Herbie Hammer]

Tank museum excellent, lots of caves to buy fizz around samaur, the zoo is great, try some of the local wine sellers, sometimes the places look grotty but the wine can be good and cheap, don't be afraid to buy wine in a bag/box either.

HH