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

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.

Essential guide to Normandy Cheeses

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 - 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.

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.

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 gîtes manuals, we list a selection of restaurants with a brief outline of what type of food they serve, plus price range and a telephone number. If you would like us to make a reservation for you, please ask.

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.                   

The list below details restaurants we have discovered and can recommend. A brief description of each restaurant, where located and approx. time need 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 35-60€ 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. 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: 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

The 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings and the Battle for Normandy is commemorated in June 2024. During the week 1st-9th June commemorations will take place throughout Normandy. Thousands of visitors are expected and Hotels, BNB's and camp sites have been booked up for many months at very inflated prices. There is so much to see in the area, but roads will be at a standstill, parking near impossible and areas cordoned off should President Biden visit with President Macron. Recent news is that to enter the designated Anniversary area you will need a special pass displayed in your car. Our suggestion should you wish to visit the beaches, cemeteries, museums etc. is to not to visit during this time period. My personal view is winter is the best time when tourist numbers are low and you can visit hassle free avoiding the crowds. 

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.  

The Normandy region was made infamous on the 6th June 1944 with the D-Day landings, this was followed by the Battle for Normandy which ended when the Allies crossed the River Seine at the end of August 1944.

The whole area around, but mainly north of La Martinière was the battle ground of the Allied Offensive and German defence. 

The D-Day beaches of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword are about 2 hours north from here. Throughout the region there are numerous museums to visit covering different facets of the sea and airborne landings, the cemeteries for both Allies and Germans and numerous routes to follow to discover this important period in history. From La Martinière it is a great day out and I can advise you on major locations to visit to fill your day.

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