In Fresnay-sur-Sarthe, one-hour electric boat trips on the Sarthe depart from the site of the former tanneries. The route passes wash houses and the homes of former weavers.
Some travellers would like to rent a holiday apartment for a stay in Fresnay-sur-Sarthe.
Water and craftsmanship
The market halls of Fresnay-sur-Sarthe also tell the story of the town's former importance: their ground floor served as a grain market, while the upper floor housed covered storage areas for cloth goods.
Culture and history
The Château de Fresnay-sur-Sarthe is located in the immediate vicinity of Fresnay-sur-Sarthe. The Parc du Château offers views over the Sarthe and the Creusot district; the park also contains the ruins of the keep.
The Musée de la Coiffe presents various headdresses from the Sarthe region, worn successively by the region's women since 1800. Occasional demonstrations of bobbin lace-making are also held. The Musée de la Coiffe also provides games for children. The church of Fresnay-sur-Sarthe has a carved oak door dating from 1528. The left door leaf depicts the Tree of Jesse from the Old Testament, while the right depicts the twelve Apostles from the New Testament.
Nature
The Coteau des Vignes is an Espace Naturel Sensible managed by the municipality of Fresnay-sur-Sarthe. It features limestone cliffs and meadows where rare plants grow; information panels line the path.
The Coteau des Vignes can be explored via an educational trail. It begins at the town hall or at the car park above the slope. The site also has a small animal park with a donkey, goats and Ouessant sheep.
Surroundings and connections
The wider regional area around Fresnay-sur-Sarthe is home to the Château de Lonray, the Château de Vassé, the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Champagne, the Parc Régional Normandie-Maine, the Butte Chaumont and Mont Rochard.
Aléop bus routes 210 and 204 connect Fresnay-sur-Sarthe with Le Mans and Alençon respectively.
Other places: Souvigné-Sur-Même, Sainte-Sabine-Sur-Longève, Saint-Ouen-De-Mimbré, Sillé-Le-Philippe, Saint-Rémy-De-Sillé, Luché-Pringé, Saint-Jean-De-La-Motte, Valennes.
