Orne, the horse country

Arrival in the Calvados region by your own means.

Guided tour of the abbey where traditional biscuits are still manufactured. You will discover each stage of the making of these famous biscuits : kneading, shaping, baking, and packaging.

You will have your lunch (not included) in Domfront, listed as one of the “most beautiful detours in France” and “little town of character“.

In the early afternoon, enjoy one the biggest horse show in Normandy “From the Earth to the stage” at the equestrian centre La Michaudière. You will witness some surprising tricks and amazing stage numbers carried out by the thirty or so draft horses (Percherons, Norman Cob, Breton, Comtois and Ardennes cobs) that live in the centre.

The Domfront country is listed “Remarkable Site of Taste” for both the Domfront Pear Cider (AOC Poiré) and the Domfront Calvados Brandy. That’s enough reasons to finish the day with a tour of a cellar and of course, some tasting of the cellars produce.

Dinner at the restaurant before an overnight stay in a hotel or guest house in Bagnoles de l’Orne

After breakfast, you will be guided around the scenic Bagnoles de l’Orne featuring the lake and the town itself, in particular the Belle Epoque neighbourhood. What an incredible little town with so much history on every street corner.

Lunch at the restaurant in Bagnoles de l’Orne.

After an lunch in the restaurant in Bagnoles de l’Orne, you will start a guided tour of the medieval village Saint-Cénéri-le-Gérei, situated In the heart of the Mancelles Alps. Built around a meander of the Sarthe river, this village is known as one of “most beautiful detours in France” and “little town of character” and “village of painters” thanks to its rich heritage and interesting past. Carry on the afternoon with a visit to Alençon, the French “City of lace“, known for its “Point d’Alençon needlepoint“, which was declared UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Visit of the fine arts and the lace museum.

Evening meal in a restaurant before an overnight in a hotel or a guest house in Alençon.

After breakfast, visit of the “Maison du Camembert”. Housed in an early-17th-century restored farm, this museum retraces the history of the famous Camembert cheese, with of course a tasting session at the end of the visit.

After lunch in a restaurant, you will take a tour of the stud farm “Haras du Pin” with its “sellerie d’honneur“, the prestigious tack room, and the collection of horse-drawn carriages. You will visit the stables of horses and ponies that are the stars of the show, and have free time to discover the Stable Discovery trail, that will present the breeds of horses, with the history of the place and more generally the horse culture in Normandy. You will watch the show or have a backstage tour.

End of your trip.