The spring and autumn seasons are particularly beautiful: in spring when the forest is in full bloom, and in autumn with its golden, red and orange colours. In winter, beware of the paths, which can become muddy. In summer, remember to take plenty of water with you!
For your own safety, find out before you come what the hunting season is (certain parts of the forest are affected) and make sure you follow the signs.
Écouves Forest
The oak tree at Le Verdier
Massif d'Écouves trail station
The Valois tank at the Croix de Médavy crossroads in the Écouves forestLocated north of Alençon, the Écouves forest massif, the highest point in Normandy at 413 metres, covers almost 15,000 hectares of rolling countryside, wooded paths and peaceful clearings. It is one of the most extensive and well-preserved forested areas in north-western France.
Arriving at the Chêne-au-Verdier crossroads, you can admire a gigantic sculpted sequoia. At the La Croix de Médavy crossroads, you’ll find the “Valois” tank, hit by a panzer and a witness to the fighting between General Leclerc’s 2nd armoured division and German troops during the Battle of Normandy on 12 and 13 August 1944.
Further down, you will see the Gateys necropolis, a military cemetery and now a national necropolis, where the bodies of 19 soldiers who fell in the fighting are laid to rest. The combination of Latin crosses and headstones marked with the Islamic crescent or the Star of David reflects the spirit of unity and fraternity of the 2nd Armoured Division.
With its remarkable natural and historical heritage, the Écouves forest is an ideal setting for hiking, wildlife watching or simply enjoying a peaceful interlude in the heart of nature. Whether you’re coming for a family walk, a sporting outing or a contemplative getaway, this authentic area is sure to charm you with its diversity and soothing atmosphere. It is also home to the Écouves trail station, which offers 7 signposted routes ranging from 5 to 30 km, suitable for all abilities.
As you leave the forest, you’ll catch a glimpse of the Butte Chaumont, an Armorican sandstone hill 378 metres above the forest.
Put on your hiking boots and take the Rochers du Vignage trail, which follows a rocky ridge to reveal an admirable view of the forest. Perched at an altitude of around 288 metres and a veritable lookout point over the Écouves forest, this is a truly privileged vantage point. You can see magnificent wooded valleys and the horizon of forest peaks, blending with the changing light according to the time of day.
Take a deep breath! The fragrance of the pines, the discreet chirping of the birds and the light filtering through the foliage create a rejuvenating atmosphere. Each season reveals a different facet of the Écouves forest: flamboyant in autumn, awake in spring and invigorating in summer. It’s a place to come back to, again and again, for the pleasure of feeling rejuvenated by nature.
If you’d like to spend some quality time with the whole family, in an exceptional natural environment, visit the Parc animalier d’Écouves. This 18-hectare zoo, nestling in the heart of the Forêt d’Écouves, is one of a kind. It is home to over 400 animals from all over the world, living here in semi-liberty.
As a lover of nature and quiet, peaceful places, I like to take my rucksack and guitar in search of a spot in the Écouves forest and stop to play a few notes. My preference is to take the footpaths at Les Sauvagères or Le Bouillon and have a picnic among the trees, far from the noise of the city.
This forest is well worth a visit. Situated on the outskirts of Alençon, between hills and valleys, the Perseigne forest unfurls its 5,000 hectares of unspoilt nature. Here, you can breathe deeply, relax, slow down… and marvel. On foot, by bike or on horseback, the trails of Perseigne take you to places where hundred-year-old beech trees stand alongside Scots pines, where clearings suddenly open out onto unexpected panoramas, and where wildlife – deer, roe deer, birds of prey – can be seen at every turn.
Don’t hesitate to climb the 163 steps of the Perseigne lookout, 30 metres high and the highest point in the Sarthe département (340m). From the top of this belvedere, you can enjoy a spectacular view of hedged farmland, peaceful villages and even, on a clear day, Mont des Avaloirs in the distance.
Whether by car, motorbike or bike, the “Vallée d’Enfer” is not to be missed. This very hilly area is ideal for beautiful walks starting from Saint-Rigomer-des-Bois, from Les Ventes du four to the Puits de la Roche, or from Les Trois ponts up the Vallée du Gros Houx. In terms of heritage, you can also visit Perseigne Abbey, the porticoed church at Saint-Rigomer-des-Bois, the châteaux of Courtilloles and Aillières-Beauvoir and the Manoir de Couesme.
Perseigne lookoutThe following files are missing (Sarthe flows): Château de Courtilloles / Maison Gaston Floquet
In the heart of the Orne hills, the Multonne forest is a well-kept secret. Less well known than its neighbours, it is no less remarkable. Here, nature reigns supreme, with granite chaos, heather carpets and tall deciduous trees whispering in the wind.
This forested massif offers a setting that is both peaceful and wild, ideal for contemplative strolls or hikes full of surprises. The paths wind between moss-covered rocks, shady undergrowth and unexpected viewpoints.
Mont des Avaloirs viewpoint
