Places to Visit and things to do
places to visit - restaurants - Markets - activities - Cheese, cider and calvados route
d-day and the battle for normandy
Basing yourself at La Martinière gives you the opportunity to visit many places within the area.
We are able to assist you with any questions you might have and can recommend places you may like to visit.
Click on a location photo to link you to the Tourist Office website
The local tourist Bocage-Mayennais is open throughout the year with offices in Gorron,
Colombiers-Du-Plessis, Ambrière-les-Vallées and Pontmain.
Click on logo to take you to the Mayenne Tourism website
Domfront
A medieval town in southern Normandy close to La Martinière with a castle and its unusual church and steeple. With a number of restaurants and bars. Walks through the woods and along the river. Weekend Medieval festival in August.
mortain
A hill town with many restaurants and a spectacular walk down to the waterfall.
Famous for the Battle of Mortain/Hill 314 - Hitlers last and final counter attack during the Battle for Normandy for those interested in WW2 history.
Mont St. Michel
The regions most famous landmark standing alone in the bay. You can walk the causeway out to the Mont or take the courtesy bus. Along the coast are many seafood restaurants serving fresh oysters and mussels.
Lassay les Chateaux
Small photogenic medieval town with a 14th century castle. Classified as a Petite Cité de Caractère.
Fougères
Famous for its well preserved castle and botanical gardens. The town has shopping, numerous restaurants and an excellent Saturday food market.
Unfortunately we have recently discovered dogs are not allowed in the botanical gardens or the castle.
bagnoles de l'orne
The town is famous for its thermal waters attracting visitors to enjoy the spa, restaurants, casino and 9 hole golf course.
laval
Largest town in the area with the River Mayenne flowing through it. Good shopping and an excellent food market on Saturday morning in the old town centre.
The best place for large out of town shopping stores.
Mayenne
Capital and administration city of the region with the River Mayenne flowing below the castle through the town centre.
Sainte-Suzanne
A delightful small medieval town with a castle perched on the hill. Wonderful walk down and across the river circling the town with great views of the castle.
cancale - Brittany coast
Located on the Bay of St.Michel the town is famous for its seafood, with numerous restaurants along the sea front overlooking the oyster and mussel beds. North of the town are great beaches in rocky inlets.
jublains - pays de La Loire
Capital of the ancient Gallic tribe of the Diablintes then a Roman settlement. A visitors centre enables you to view the historic excavations.
St. Hilaire-du-Harcouët
If you are wishing to stock up with local produce the excellent food market is held on a Wednesday morning.
granville - normandy coast
On the west coast of Normandy Granville is famous for being the home to Christian Dior. The family house is now a museum and the coastline has some wonderful open beaches.
saint-Céneri-le-gérei - normandy
Recognised as one of France's most attractive villages. Home to many artists in which you can visit. The tiny Chapel of St. Céneri sits in the bend of the river.
AmbriÈres les-Vallées
Enjoy lunch by the River at the Bistro Varenne. A number of attractive walking routes around the lake and the small but attractive town centre.
Vitré - the gate way to Brittany
A very attractive old town with narrow streets and a castle to explore. The town is known as the Gate way to Brittany and has upmarket shops and art galleries.
brocantes - vide grenier / antiques
Throughout the area there are numerous Brocantes and at weekends "Vide Grenier" ( Car Boot Sales ) We can advise you on those worth visiting.
Pontmain cathedral
In 1871 it is claimed some children saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary. A year later the Bishop of Laval recognised this. Hence the decision to construct a cathedral in this tiny village.
St. malo - brittany
On the north Brittany coast, a major port for centuries and one of the world's great walled cities. Walk the battlements surrounding the city and enjoy the vibrant streets with shops, restaurants within its walls or stroll along its beautiful beaches.
Rennes - brittany
This university city is the capital of Brittany with a historic centre and one of France's largest gastronomic food markets which is held each Saturday morning 8.00am until 2.00pm.
Le Mans - Loire
Famous for its 24 hour Motor race held in June. A fabulous museum charts the history of the historical race and you can also view the circuit. The city also has an ancient centre with a Gothic cathedral. Easy access from museum by tram to the centre.
dinan - Brittany
Beautiful old town split into two parts, the upper old town on the hill with the castle and below is the Port de Dinan alongside the River Rance. Great place to wander the narrow streets or take a boat trip up river through locks and wooded valley.
Dinard - brittany
Coastal town over looking the bay towards St.Malo. There are numerous sandy beaches along this part of the Brittany coast, of which two are in the town. The town is famous for its Casino and the annual British Film Festival.
la Fosse Arthour
A beautiful spot for long or short walks in the forest or around the lake. For the adventurous rock climbing is available here on the crags. By the car park is a great restaurant offering lunch and dinner or snacks and a drink after a good walk.
Cheese/Cider/Calvados experiences
This region of France is famous for its Cheese, Cider and Calvados and you can visit the orchards, learn about the production and enjoy tasting the local produce. For more details visit the Mayenne Tourism site here.
La Musée du Poiré - Barenton ( Open Daily/Free Entrance )
The Route of the Pear Orchards
Calvados producers in the area
A bit of useless but interesting information - how to spot a Normandy species of cow - They are white and brown and always have a brown patch around their eyes.
WALKING / Cycling / kayaking / horse riding / Fishing
Walking - If you enjoy walking in the countryside there are many recognised and well sign-posted tracks along country lanes, through woods, along rivers and around lakes. Helen is a keen hiker and has many books which map out various walks and what to see on them. She is very happy to discuss your options and recommend routes for you ranging from a few kilometres to long distance walks.
Cycling - France is renowned for its cycling and some years the 'Tour de France' visits the region. Many of the roads of Mayenne and Normandy are very quiet and with the many back roads it is a cycling paradise. With the aid of a local map your route will take you through some beautiful countryside and villages where you can stop for a drink or a meal. If you are looking for a real adventure there is the Véloscénie - Paris to Mont St.Michel route. You probably don't wish to do the whole 450km, but from Domfront you can join the 80km traffic free route to Mont St.Michel.
Kayaking - Throughout the region are many rivers, some are only a stream but some are major rivers such as the River Mayenne and the lesser River Varenne. Kayaks and canoes can be hired by the hour, half day and full day for you to enjoy paddling or drifting on the flow through the beautiful Mayenne countryside. The hire places will supply you with a map to point out places of interest and villages you can remove your kayak to enable you to go exploring.
Horse Riding - If you would like to go riding, we can recommend an equestrian centre near Mayenne where you can enjoy countryside horse riding tours or if you are happy to drive a bit further it is possible for riding tours along the Bay of Mont St.Michel.
Fishing - Fishing is hugely popular in the area with either river or lake fishing. The rivers have trout and other fresh water fish and the lakes are generally stocked with Carp. A license is required. Please ask and I can give you details on locations you can go fishing.
markets in the area
One of the joys of visiting France are the food markets. We have city, town and village markets on most days around us.
Some are small markets with just a few stalls selling local produce others like Rennes are enormous.
Markets are generally open from 8.00am to 2.00pm.
We have been to many of the markets listed below.
Markets marked with a * we can recommend and ** Highly recommend.
MONDAY - Mayenne
TUESDAY - Ernée Landivy Laval* Villedieu-les-Poêles* Sourdeval Bagnole-de-L’Orne
WEDNESDAY - Gorron St. Hilaire–Du-Harcouet** Lassay le Chateau Flers*
THURSDAY - Le Teilleul Chateau Gontier
FRIDAY - Domfront Fougerolles-du-Plessis Vire
SATURDAY - Fougères** Laval** Rennes** Ambrières-les-Vallées Bagnole-de-L’Orne Mortain Mayenne
Rennes - Saturday market (1 hr 15mins. drive) is France’s 2nd largest gastronomic market and we highly recommend a visit.
2 indoor markets selling meats, cheese, charcuterie, herbs, bread, pastries etc. and outdoors is a large area with vegetable stalls, numerous fish stalls and a flower market. A great day out visiting the market, enjoying lunch in a café and discover the old city.
RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA
If like us, you enjoy quality food at reasonable prices or wanting that restaurant which is a little bit special, we can recommend a number of restaurants, bistros and cafés in the area to suit all tastes and budgets. In our gîte manuals and here on the website, we list a selection of restaurants with a brief outline of what type of food they serve, price range and a telephone number. If you would like us to make a reservation for you, please ask.
You also have the choice to eat here at La Martinière - we have 4 menus - Breakfast / Arrival Supper / 2 or 3 Course Dinner and our
Dîner Gourmand. Please see our Menu page which details each menu and your choices.
For food lovers looking for classic French cuisine, we have discovered Michelin* and Fine Dining restaurants. Travel towards the Normandy and Brittany coast to find the freshest sea food. Oysters, mussels etc. which were only collected that morning. For an excellent lunch at bargain prices, go to where the locals enjoy their 'Plat de Jour'. Our tip for a good 'Plat de Jour' restaurant is - if there are the plumbers and electrician vans outside during lunch then it is probably good. But you need to be seated soon after 12 noon or all the tables will be taken. Usually costing 15€ per person, offering 3 or 4 course lunch including wine or cider. Or you perhaps you just want a pizza or galettes/crêpes and you will find these restaurants in most town centres.
restaurants we have discover and can recommend
The list below details restaurants we have discovered and can recommend. A brief description of each restaurant, where located and approx. time to drive there. Often in France opening days and times can be sporadic, so would recommend you call ahead to reserve a table. We are happy to make the call for you. Suggested Price Budget is marked to give you an idea of cost of lunch/dinner with drinks.
€ Low Prices €€€€ High Prices.
To give you an indication of prices:
Generally 'Plat du Jour' lunchtime restaurants are 14/15€ per person including wine/cider.
Higher end restaurants menus can be between 40/70€ per person with aperitifs/wine on top.
LE PAPILLON - GORRON: English owned bar/restaurant serving traditional French Plat du Jour and à la carte. Lunch and dinner. Closed on Mondays. 7 mins. drive Prices - €€ 0243 086367
CREPERIE DE MENHIR - GORRON: Small creperie in the town centre near the Mairie. Serving Gallettes, crepes and a small à la carte menu. Check opening days. 7 mins. drive Prices - € 0243 039054
CUISINE DE BUBBA - GORRON: Excellent pizzas and kebabs. Opposite the Mairie in the town centre. Only open Thursday. Friday and Saturday. 7 mins. drive Prices - € 0986 116818
HOTEL DE FRANCE GRILLE - DOMFRONT: Steaks and other french specialities cooked on an open wood fire. Closed on Mondays. Very popular at weekends. 15 mins. Prices - €/€€ 0233 385144
L’ECHAUGUETTE - DOMFRONT: Pizzas, a variety of salads, fish and meat dishes. Open all week except Mondays. Nice small terrace in summer to eat out the back. 15 mins. drive Prices - €€ 0233 377171
AU BAR NORMAND - DOMFRONT: Famous little bar with small terrace opposite the church. Good selection of beers and wines. Serves excellent Thai snacks. 15 mins. drive Prices - € 0233 385129
LE BRICCIUS - BRECÉ: Typical French Lunch time "Plats du Jour". Village on route to Mayenne, south of Gorron. Choice of 5 starters, 5 main courses, dessert with wine or cider. 10mins drive Prices - €
LE RELAIS DE LA VARENNE - AMBRIERES-LES-VALLEES: Newly renovated restaurant with excellent position beside the river. Pizzas, Steaks, Burgers, Pasta, a broad menu choice with Plat du Jour lunchtimes and chef specials.15 mins. drive Prices - €€ 0243 049054
LE LION D’OR - FOUGEROLLES-DU-PLESIS: Traditional French Plat du Jour lunch time menu. Salad buffet, choice of mains and dessert includes wine/cider. Only opens lunch time. 12 mins. drive
Prices - € 0243 055376
COM A LA MAISON: LA FERRIERE-AUX-ETANGS: Family run restaurant. Traditional Plat du Jour menu. Great terrace area with tables under the trees beside the lake. Lunch/evenings 30 mins. drive Prices - € 0233 144872
LE BISTRO - FOUGERES: Small bistro restaurant close to the theatre. A broad French menu with pizzas and burgers or escargots, foie gras, Rognons de Veau etc. 30 mins. drive
Prices - €€ 0299 995904
RESTAURANT ÔVILLAGE - COLOMBIER DU PLESSIS: Newly opened bar and 'Plat du Jour' restaurant. Open lunchtime to eat and evenings for drinks. Outdoor terrace. 12 mins. drive
Prices - € 0675 238216
LE MOULIN DE JEAN - CUVES: Perhaps our favourite restaurant. An old Water Mill in a great setting and depending on the season it is possible to eat indoors or out on the terrace. Michelin quality à la carte menu. Owned by French Chef Christophe Novelli. Prices - €€€/€€€€ 40 minutes drive 0233 483929
LA MERE CHAMPLAIN - CANCALE: If visiting Mont St. Michel and the Brittany coast this is one of our favourite seafood restaurants over looking the bay. Great choice of Fresh oysters, mussels, crabs and lobster plus catch of the day. To get a table in the open terrace windows you will need to make a reservation. Very busy at weekends. Prices - €€€/€€€€ 1hr15mins drive 0299 896004
LE QUERRIEN - CANCALE: Another of our favourite restaurants which always has a great atmosphere. Great seafood plus a variety of meat dishes and some great desserts. Again very busy at weekends. Prices - €€€/€€€€ 1hr15mins drive 0299 896456
LA FORGE - FONTAINE-DANIEL: High quality à la Carte restaurant with nice terrace over looking the village green and a small lake. Plat du Jour choice at lunchtime. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Prices - €€€/€€€€ 30 minutes drive 0243 003485
AUBERGE DE LA MINE - LA FERRIERE-AUX-ETANGS: Michelin * Restaurant about 30 minutes from La Martiniere. Unfortunately no outdoor terrace. Choice of à la Carte with a choice of courses or the 8 course Taster menu. Superb quality from Chef Nobis as you would expect from a Michelin * restaurant. Prices - 30 minutes drive €€€/€€€€ 0233 669110
LA PAUSE DES GENETS - GENETS: Located on the bay of Mont St. Michel. Quirky deco inside with a beautiful Asian themed garden to enjoy lunch or dinner. Excellent modern French cuisine with an Asian touch. Prices - €€€ One hour drive 0233 897238
LA CROIX DE LANDES - DOMFRONT: Out of town on Bagnoles road. Chef specials daily and set menus. Outdoor terrace. Generally open all week except Mondays especially popular for weekend lunch.
Prices - €€/€€€ 15 minutes drive 0233 383725
AUBERGE DE LA FOSSE ARTHOUR - FOSSE ARTHOUR: Lovely restaurant in a great setting. Located in a gorge surrounded by trees with a rushing stream alongside. Outdoor terrace to enjoy lunch or dinner alongside the stream. Also offers drinks/snacks if enjoying a walk through the woods and around the lake. Lunch/Dinner Prices - €€€ 20 minute drive 0971 722695
CAFE DE SAINT-MALO - ST.MALO: There are so many restaurants in the old walled city, but this one we have returned to a number of times. Wide selection of seafood and meat dishes à la carte or from their Menu du Jour. Prices - €€€/€€€€ 1hr15 mins drive 0299 564675
LE PALATIUM - LAVAL: Restaurant and Bar in the Market Square. Excellent food and place to enjoy a drink - Tuesday to Sunday lunchtime. Very popular on Saturday when the excellent food market is on. Snacks to full a course lunch and dinner available. Prices - €€/€€€ 40 minutes drive 0243 532222
LE CAFÉ DE PARIS - FOUGÈRES: In the town centre and very popular with the locals especially in the evening and on Market day (Saturday) Great place to sit outside and people watch. Small menu, but the homemade Quiche is excellent. Prices - €€ 30 minutes drive 0299 943938
LE CENTRAL - DOMFRONT: Cafe/Tabac on the road through town towards Bagnoles. Chinese family run, who are very friendly and it has a good atmosphere with a young crowd inside and on the pavement terrace. Snacks available ( Chinese noodles/nems etc. ) Open all week accept Tuesday. Prices - €/€€ 15 minutes drive 0233 386559
D-day and the Battle for Normandy
Below are a few of the main attractions that our guests could visit. Throughout Normandy there are so many things to see, it would be impossible to see all in one day, but below are sites we can recommend in which you could choose a few and make a day out visiting these.
D-Day landing beaches and the battle for normandy
Below are Maps showing the area that the Battle covered and the routes the Americans and British/Commonwealth Armies took to final push the German Army over the River Seine.
The map from 1944 (below - Suggested Places to Visit) shows the D-Day landing beaches, the Beach Head established then the Break Out to push the Germans back over the River Seine. D-Day was on the 6th June 1944 and the Battle for Normandy ended 30th August 1944. With eventually the war in Europe ending 8th May 1945.
The Battle for Normandy casualties were very high from D-Day and over the 3 month battle period.
Germany - 30,000 killed - 80,000 wounded and 210,000 missing
USA - 29,000 killed - 106,000 wounded and missing
UK - 11,000 killed - 54,000 wounded and missing
Canada - 5000 killed - 13,000 wounded and missing
France - 12,000 civilians killed and missing
d-day and battle for normandy places to visit
sainte-mere-eglise
US 82nd and 101st Airborne parachuted in to the Cotentin Peninsular on the night of D-Day. The town is famous with its parachutist hanging from the church steeple. An excellent Airborne museum close to the church and market square.
pointe du hoc
US Rangers famously climbed the cliffs to destroy the German artillery which would have been able to hit troops landing on Omaha and Utah Beach. The cratered area with its gun emplacements was given to the USA by the French people. There is also a small museum to visit at the entrance.
omaha cemetery
The American Omaha Beach Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer contains more than 9000 burials from D-Day and the Battle for Normandy. From the cemetery you can walk down through the dunes, passing German defences to the beach and the Omaha Beach Memorial.
Arromanche harbour
The Allies built an artificial harbour to land troops, supplies and equipment etc. required for the push inland from their beach head.
Some of the caissons floated over from the UK are still visible off the beach. The interesting Museum of Debarquement is close to the water front in the town.
longues-sur-Mer battery
The gun battery of four 152mm naval guns is located between Omaha and Gold Beach. The gun battery was major threat to troops landing on the beaches and ships out at sea. The battery was damaged by Allied bombing on the morning of D-Day. The battery is open to the public to view the original guns.
bayeux commonwealth war cemetery
Bayeux Commonwealth War Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth cemetery in France with 4144 commonwealth burials and 500 of other nationalities. Opposite the cemetery is the Museé Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie, covering the D-Day preparations and the Battle for Normandy.
pegasus bridge
Very close to the Portsmouth/Ouistreham ferry port. Gliders landed close to the bridge and was the first objective taken on the night of D-Day by British 2nd Airborne. The original bridge was replaced in 1994 but at the museum the original bridge can be seen. Café Gondrée the first building liberated is open for meals and snacks.
merville battery
The gun battery was taken on the night of D-Day by British Paratroopers. Of 600 men tasked with its destruction only 150 made the attack and capturing the guns. After their withdrawal the Germans re-manned 2 of the guns and remained there until the German Army withdrew on August 17th. An informative museum and the gun emplacements can be visited.
british normandy memorial
The Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer overlooking Gold Beach was unveiled on the 6th June 2021, the 77th Anniversary. The Memorial names 22,442 people from 30 countries under British Command who were killed during the Battle for Normandy from the 6th June to 31st August 1944.
La cambe German Cemetery
La Cambe close to Omaha beach is the largest German War Cemetery in Normandy. 21,200 German soldiers lie here. After the war 12,000 German dead were moved here from approximately 1400 field burials across Normandy. The site is maintained by volunteers of the German War Graves Commission.
German Ossuary huisnes-sur-Mer
This German Mausoleum is on a hill and is circular in shape surrounding a garden and cross. The crypts have plaques naming the soldier and the date they died. If visiting the rear viewing platform offers magnificent views across the bay to Mont St.Michel.
french Civilians memorial falaise
The Falaise Pocket marked the end of the Battle for Normandy as the German Army was decimated by Allied air attacks attempting to retreat across the River Seine. This museum is a memorial and tells the story to the 150,000 Normans who had to evacuate their homes and the estimated 20,000 French killed in bombardments by the Allies.