Solesmes and L’Épau, living abbeys
On the banks of the Sarthe, Saint-Pierre de Solesmes Abbey is still famous for its Gregorian chant services. Listening to them on a Sunday morning, in the huge nave, is a soothing experience to share. Not far from Le Mans, the royal abbey of L’Épau, founded in the thirteenth century by Berengaria of Navarre, can be visited in a peaceful park: it is also the venue of the Europa Jazz Festival, which draws fans every spring.
La Flèche and Sablé-sur-Sarthe
La Flèche is home to the famous National Military Prytaneum, housed in a former royal college where Descartes studied. Its Henri-IV park and Carmes castle offer lovely walks. Sablé-sur-Sarthe, a little further north, is known for its castle, its sablé biscuits and its baroque festival. Two towns where it is easy to craft a date mixing a visit, a food break and a stroll along the water.
Rillettes, chicken and good tables
The Sarthe is also a land of good food: Le Mans rillettes, Loué free-range chicken, dried apples, Christmas capon, forest honeys. The markets of Le Mans, La Flèche or Mamers overflow with produce. On Lyad, Sarthe members share their favourite inns and cultural plans; it is up to you to find someone to carve into a good poultry on a sheltered Sunday.
Date ideas
- Solesmes Abbey
- L’Épau Abbey
- La Flèche
- National Military Prytaneum
- Sablé-sur-Sarthe
- Le Mans rillettes
- Loué chicken
- Europa Jazz Festival
