La Forêt-Auvray: Holiday Apartments and Houses

La Forêt-Auvray is situated on a rocky promontory above the Orne Valley. Renting a holiday apartment in La Forêt-Auvray can be part of planning an individual stay.

Culture and History

The Château de la Forêt-Auvray is a Huguenot fortress built in the 16th century and remodelled in the 17th century on the site of a medieval fortification dating from the 14th century. Its quadrangular fortifications feature walls and parapets, four corner towers, and a sturdy wooden bridge over the surrounding wall. The fortifications and towers, the gateway, and the moats have been listed as protected historic monuments under the decree of 9 April 2002.

The church, the former cemetery, and the old market halls of La Forêt-Auvray form a protected site designated in May 1943 to preserve a picturesque village centre. The Church of Saint Peter has a single-nave layout. The northern market hall is still open and equipped with picnic tables.

La Forêt-Auvray is also home to the remains of a mill dating from 1125. The Menhir de La Rousselière is associated with local legends. Since 1969, La Forêt-Auvray has been known for an annual hill-climb race.

Hiking and Landscapes

Several routes begin directly in La Forêt-Auvray or at prominent points in the village. Route 15 of the Suisse Normande Trail starts at the market halls and passes through the region’s typical bocage landscape of hedgerows, meadows, and woodland. Route 14 of Suisse Normande Outdoor also begins in La Forêt-Auvray and follows a hilly course over a varied succession of paths and narrow single-track trails.

The Trail Circuit n°13 – La Forêt-Auvray – La Héraudière begins in the village of La Forêt-Auvray. It crosses varied terrain, mainly through woodland, with wide paths and narrow single-track trails. The hiking route En passant par l’Anjou begins next to the church and the old market halls of La Forêt-Auvray and follows the red-and-white-marked GR 36. It is an easy tour lasting around two hours.

Activities for Children

4 Pat'Balad offers nature walks with cows and ponies in La Forêt-Auvray. These walks last 1.5 hours and take place near the GR 36. There are also short introductory pony-riding courses for children aged 5 to 12.

The activity Goûters de Holla is a six-kilometre discovery tour with cows for children aged 5 to 12.

Other destinations: Rânes, Lonlay-L'abbaye, Le Grais, Saint-Cornier-Des-Landes, Semallé, Flers, La Ferrière-Bochard, Saint-Aubin-De-Bonneval

To the higher-level travel overview: Orne.