Orne: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

La Roche d’Oëtre lies more than 100 metres above the Gorges de la Rouvre. Marked trails of 2.5, 5 and 9 kilometres are open there all year round. Those wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Orne can then continue their accommodation search.

Nature

Orne has a rich and diverse natural heritage comprising forests, marshes and fast-flowing streams. Two regional nature parks contribute to preserving the local wildlife, flora and traditions. There are also 40 sensitive natural areas, 26 of which are accessible to visitors through independent or guided tours.

Marais du Grand-Hazé is a 200-hectare wetland with ponds, peat bogs, reed beds and peat woodland. It is recognised as Orne’s leading bird-breeding site; 170 species have been recorded there. A 1.8-kilometre botanical trail focuses on trees, hedges and the bocage landscape.

The Gorges de Villiers combine Armorican sandstone cliffs, scree slopes, heathland, a spring and a fast-flowing river. A hot spring in the Gorges de Villiers belongs to the thermal spa resort of Bagnoles-de-l’Orne and was worshipped in Roman times. A marked trail of 2.5 kilometres is open there all year round.

Trails and Activities

Orne has more than 1,000 kilometres of riding trails for independent or accompanied rides and training. In addition, there are 147 kilometres of marked carriage-driving routes in the forests of Réno-Valdieu, Écouves and Andaines. The educational trail in Forêt de Bourse is 2.5 kilometres long and passes ponds, ancient oaks, the Vezone and a former railway line.

The Perche is associated with hiking, cycling and horse riding in a preserved landscape of manor houses, châteaux, gardens and abbeys. The GR®22 passes through protected areas and is described as an accessible long-distance hiking trail. A four-day hiking route runs through Alençon, Carrouges, Bagnoles-de-l’Orne and the medieval town of Domfront.

Culture and History

Manoir de Courboyer was built at the end of the 15th century and combines features of Flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Three levels are open to visitors. Self-guided visits are possible there all year round; guided visits are available in summer, and group bookings are possible throughout the year.

Haras national du Pin was built on the orders of Louis XIV in a landscaped setting of more than 1,000 hectares. A visit includes the historic core with its main courtyard, stables, tack room, a collection of horse-drawn carriages and a discovery trail. Haras national du Pin also offers equestrian shows, carriage rides, pony activities, trips by electric bicycle or golf cart, as well as opportunities to learn about horseshoeing and saddlery.

The medieval town of Domfront is freely accessible all year round; guided tours are available by arrangement throughout the year.

Products

The Perche is also associated with local terroir products, which can be enjoyed after outings on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. The Domfrontais poiré appellation covers 40 municipalities in Orne, Manche and Mayenne. More than 100,000 pear trees produce over 25,000 tonnes of pears each year.

Further Places

The following place pages are available for further navigation: Athis-De-L'orne, Bellême, Ceaucé, Lalacelle, Le Sap, Pervenchères, Saint-Cyr-La-Rosière, Saint-Germain-De-La-Coudre, Saint-Symphorien-Des-Bruyères, Vimoutiers, Ceton, Parfondeval, Belfonds, Saint-Fraimbault, Valframbert, Silli-En-Gouffern, Rânes, Fontenai-Sur-Orne, Bagnoles-De-L'orne, Argentan, Alencon, Putanges-Pont-Ecrepin, Écouché, Condeau, Saint-Siméon, Montabard, Moutiers-Au-Perche, Neuvy-Au-Houlme, Champeaux-Sur-Sarthe, Montreuil-La-Cambe, Fel, Aubry-En-Exmes, Lonlay-L'abbaye, Nonant-Le-Pin, Torchamp, Domfront, Mortagne-Au-Perche, Saint-Michel-Des-Andaines, Crouttes, Flers, L'aigle, La Chapelle-Montligeon, Mantilly, Carrouges, Juvigny-Sous-Andaine, La Perrière, Le Château-D'almenêches, Les Champeaux, Canapville, Le Mêle-Sur-Sarthe, Essay, Le Renouard, La Ferté-Frênel, Ménil-Vin, Saint-Nicolas-Des-Bois, Moulins-La-Marche, Macé, Malétable, Rémalard, Livaie, Saint-Aubin-De-Bonneval, La Genevraie, Sées, Heugon, Le Theil, Colonard-Corubert, Trun, Marchemaisons, Bazoches-Sur-Hoëne, Saint-Germain-Dʼaunay, Boëcé, Le Merlerault, Berjou, Berd'huis, Saint-Denis-Sur-Huisne, Corbon, Lignou, Saint-Pierre-D'entremont, Réveillon, Mardilly, Le Grais, Banvou, Champosoult, Magny-Le-Désert, La Chapelle-D'andaine, Champcerie, Camembert, Marcei, Vieux-Pont, Bellou-En-Houlme, Boucé, Courgeon, Saint-Bômer-Les-Forges, La Ferté-Macé, Le Pas-Saint-L'homer, La Ferrière-Bochard, Saint-Aubin-Des-Grois, Mahéru, Saint-Maurice-Lès-Charencey, Damigny, Saint-Cornier-Des-Landes, Aunou-Sur-Orne, Saint-Julien-Sur-Sarthe, Dancé, Longny-au-Perche, Ménil-Hermei, Sainte-Honorine-la-Guillaume, Sainte-Marguerite-de-Carrouges, Nocé, Brieux, Autheuil, Médavy, Tessé-Froulay, Saint-Léonard-des-Parcs, La Lande-de-Goult, La Madeleine-Bouvet, Saint-Ouen-de-Sécherouvre, Gacé, Champsecret, Cahan, Saint-Hilaire-de-Briouze, Saint-Aubin-d'Appenai, Goulet, Mieuxcé, Neuville-sur-Touques, Omméel, Nécy, Tinchebray-Bocage, La Forêt-Auvray, Gandelain, Cerisé, Lougé-sur-Maire, Avernes-Saint-Gourgon, Passais, Semallé, Sainte-Gauburge-Sainte-Colombe, Aubry-le-Panthou, Briouze, Dame-Marie.

For the general travel overview: Normandy.