Set in the department of Mayenne, Pays de la Loire.

To the south of the Department of Mayenne lies the historic hilltop town of St Suzanne. Here you can find more that 1000 years of heritage, perhaps even more if you count prehistory – the Dolman des Erves, which date from about 4500BC. These are the oldest megalithic monuments in the Mayenne department and are about 15km from the town.

William the Conqueror -

In the same direction but much nearer the town is William the Conqueror's fortified camp, complete with earth ramparts. In 1083 Hubert of Beamont, Viscount of Main, revolted against William, a bad thing to do. William immediately marched against him. Hubert, in an effort to find a safe haven, chose St Suzanne, even then a well fortified village with a decent castle and impregnable walls.

However, William was not one to overlook such indiscretions or let them pass, however, after a lengthy siege even the indomitable William gave up and no doubt Hubert breathed a big sigh of relief.

Hundred Years War - 

During the Hundred Year's War the English did manage to to breach the walls and occupied the town till one of their own betrayed them to the French. They retook it in 1439 and it remained a sleepy little outpost till the 17th century when the barony was purchased by one Fouquet de la Varenne. Apart from his quaint name Fouquet's main claim to fame was the development of the castle in St Suzanne which he never really finished but still exists today.

19th Century - 

During the 19th century a burgeoning cottage industry grew up along the river Evre in the valley below the town. This came about because Mayenne was a centre for cotton material production and some bright spark came up with the idea of turning the scraps of material into paper.

Others copied him and now, if you visit St Suzanne, I strongly recommend that after the visit and a couple of beers in the town centre you drive down to the valley, a kilometre and a half away and have a stole along the foot path that follows the river.

Here you will pass a number of old water mills, sadly all unused today but all converted to living accommodation and in good condition.

A truly beautiful walk!

If you want more? then follow the links above, in the images, where you can buy Fraser's published books.

Fraser Blake, 70, author of 'Dear Chips' and 'A Rant Too Far?' grew up in Africa, was at school in Scotland, and worked for the British South Africa Police in Southern Rhodesia. He has taught English in Saudi Arabia and sold and renovated hundreds of properties in Northern France.

In 1998 Fraser was selling houses in the Mayenne department of the Pays de la Loire region and so was the obvious choice, when Cle France was started, to be their first agent on the ground in France. In retirement he writes, blogs, cooks, drinks wine, and hosts to dinner unlimited numbers of ex-pats.

Always on hand with a viewpoint, Fraser is going to share his views on France, the French and the British, and other people who buy in France. Sometimes informative, sometimes funny, painfully true, outrageously opinionated but always entertaining so we hope it adds a slightly different dimension to the usual normality of searching through the fantastic properties for sale on the Cle France website.

Watch out for more rants and opinion next week or buy the book today for a rollicking good read.

Jublains is a very pleasant little village on the road between Mayenne and Evron. You could almost be excused for sailing right through it without stopping or noticing that it has an amazing wealth of Roman history hidden from the main street. It was, in fact, a Roman fort and town of some importance. The fort is not large but the amazingly thick exterior wall are still standing and a number of the internal buildings are evident. The fort has a small but new state of the art museum attached to it and contains many of the implements and artefacts that have been dug up over the years in and around the old town.

After a visit to the fort and museum a gentle walk of about five minutes will lead you to the church in the centre of the town beneath which, and now well excavated and lit up, is a complete Roman hypocaust. About a quarter of a kilometre to the west of the church lies the remains of the Roman temple (to whom is not yet understood). Here the outline of the outer and inner walls are still just visible but the alter is in fairly good condition. Next to it and heading towards the church, in what is currently a pasture field, the vague outline of a street and little houses can be seen.

About the same distance east from the church is the amphitheatre still in remarkably good condition considering the amount of stone 'recycling' that has gone on over the centuries. Here you can sit on the old stone benches and imagine the comedies and tragedies being acted out by itinerant groups of troubadours that wandered the Roman empire in days of yore.

If you want more? then follow the links above, in the images, where you can buy Fraser's published books.

Fraser Blake, 70, author of 'Dear Chips' and 'A Rant Too Far?' grew up in Africa, was at school in Scotland, and worked for the British South Africa Police in Southern Rhodesia. He has taught English in Saudi Arabia and sold and renovated hundreds of properties in Northern France.

In 1998 Fraser was selling houses in the Mayenne department of the Pays de la Loire region and so was the obvious choice, when Cle France was started, to be their first agent on the ground in France. In retirement he writes, blogs, cooks, drinks wine, and hosts to dinner unlimited numbers of ex-pats.

Always on hand with a viewpoint, Fraser is going to share his views on France, the French and the British, and other people who buy in France. Sometimes informative, sometimes funny, painfully true, outrageously opinionated but always entertaining so we hope it adds a slightly different dimension to the usual normality of searching through the fantastic properties for sale on the Cle France website.

Watch out for more rants and opinion next week or buy the book today for a rollicking good read.

Mayenne is a picturesque little market town that gives it's name to the river that runs smack through its centre. It also gives its name to the Department it sits in, though Laval, also on the river, is much larger and is the administrative centre. It is one of the lesser known Departments in France and on my travels from Paris to Nice I have found few French people who have even heard of it.

The town has been built on both banks of the river which rise steeply for about 50 metres on both sides. At the top of the right bank there is what remains of a once imposing 14th century castle that belonged to the lords of Mayenne. It has now been excavated, restored and turned into a museum of the towns history.

In the town centre, Place Clemonceau, next to the old château, are held the markets. The one on Monday is for general goods, clothes, hats, and hardware and Saturday is full of stalls selling fish and such local produce as fresh cream, locally made breads, vegetables along with travelling butcheries and charcuteries. There are a number of good restaurants and brasseries dotted about the town and the centre is a very pleasant little shopping area.

The chateau side of the town is the older part with steep narrow streets, some old half timbered houses and the huge 16th century Basilica of Notre Dame. The left bank has the newer buildings on it mainly due to Second World War damage. However, overall you can still find little cobblers shops where shoes are made by hand. Wonderful charcuteries that make all their own products and even spit roasted chickens on the pavements sending wonderful smells wafting down the streets. These mingle with freshly roasted coffee being made in a mall off the main Place or the whiff of chocolate being manufactured in a little chocolatier's shop and of course, the beautiful odor of baking bread and patisserie from the boulongeries.

There are, naturally, quite a few bars all of which seem to vie with each other by putting tables and chairs onto as much of the pavement as they can possibly get away with without actually causing traffic jams.

Mayenne and its depatment are host, throughout the year, to many of Frances top cultural and arts occasions. Plays, concerts, son et lumieres, historical spectacles, art exhibitions all form the many and varied attractions Mayenne has to offer. Mayenne, town and department are one of the hidden gems of France and that is why Mayenne is Magnifique.

If you want more? then follow the links above, in the images, where you can buy Fraser's published books.

Fraser Blake, 70, author of 'Dear Chips' and 'A Rant Too Far?' grew up in Africa, was at school in Scotland, and worked for the British South Africa Police in Southern Rhodesia. He has taught English in Saudi Arabia and sold and renovated hundreds of properties in Northern France.

In 1998 Fraser was selling houses in the Mayenne department of the Pays de la Loire region and so was the obvious choice, when Cle France was started, to be their first agent on the ground in France. In retirement he writes, blogs, cooks, drinks wine, and hosts to dinner unlimited numbers of ex-pats.

Always on hand with a viewpoint, Fraser is going to share his views on France, the French and the British, and other people who buy in France. Sometimes informative, sometimes funny, painfully true, outrageously opinionated but always entertaining so we hope it adds a slightly different dimension to the usual normality of searching through the fantastic properties for sale on the Cle France website.

Watch out for more rants and opinion next week or buy the book today for a rollicking good read.

Croissants in the morning. There's nothing quite like a French croissant from the local boulangerie for brekkers. But is one ever enough? The answer is always Not really. They are so moreish especially when they are warmed up and covered with melting butter and strawberry jam. So, always give in to your baser instincts and have at least two.

Spend the morning wandering round the nearest town visiting the local bars, sitting outside sipping a demi in each and watching the world go by. This will take you to lunch time before you know it.

Ahhhh! The French lunch. There will be numerous brasseries and restaurants all offering a superb lunch for about 10 euros. Menus usually offer four courses and often include a bottle of house wine. By the end of lunch you'll be feeling pretty full so you need to find a shady nook somewhere where you can sit and read and perhaps sip a digestif or two.

After another gentle stroll it will be time to find the Salon du The for afternoon tea and patisseries. Then a few more demis to keep body and soul hydrated and it will be dinner time. Again, plenty of bistros and restaurants doing excellent meals for between 15 and 25€. Starters will often include rillets. This is a northern peasant form of pate which is truly delicious but definitely not on Weight Watchers menu. Follow this with a fish or meat course covered in a wonderful creamy sauce, they are the best. The cheese board is usually stacked with the stuff heart attacks are made of - no half fat cheese here – but the tastes are magnificent. Follow this with a slice of apple or pear tart for which this region is famous and you'll have done mind and soul the power of good, even if midriff leather is straining somewhat.

The local markets are a must. These are often, but not necessarily, on Saturday. They are full of local produce which will include thick fresh ream, local cheeses, goat and sheep often predominant. These are always full cream, soft and delicious.

If you are doing some cooking for yourself you will have to learn to use the local crème fraiche available from local shops and supermarkets. This is an essential part of Normandy cooking and has the quality of turning a fairly pedestrian dish into something special. Add it in reasonable quantities and see.

If you are contemplating a picnic the supermarkets always have a great selection of Salami type sausages. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and cut very thinly always go down well with cold potatoes, mayonnaise and pasta salad with a drizzle of olive oil.

For the evenings whilst sitting and sipping another digestif or a coffee, it would be churlish not to try at least some of the amazing array of chocolates on offer in the shops and boulangeries. The problem here is that once you've had one it is impossible not to have another and so on.

Of course, to keep your diet on the rails you should do some exercise. This usually means a gym. Forget it. You'll hunt for ages and not come across one. The French round here have not got round to gyms yet. However, you are on holiday so what the hell! I admit the French are keen cyclists – usually in packs of at least ten and all wearing the club colours and covered in Lycra.

So unless you are forced to bring a bike out you can forget finding anywhere to exercise.

Fraser Blake, 70, author of 'Dear Chips' and 'A Rant Too Far?' grew up in Africa, was at school in Scotland, and worked for the British South Africa Police in Southern Rhodesia. He has taught English in Saudi Arabia and sold and renovated hundreds of properties in Northern France.

In 1998 Fraser was selling houses in the Mayenne department of the Pays de la Loire region and so was the obvious choice, when Cle France was started, to be their first agent on the ground in France. In retirement he writes, blogs, cooks, drinks wine, and hosts to dinner unlimited numbers of ex-pats.

Always on hand with a viewpoint, Fraser is going to share his views on France, the French and the British, and other people who buy in France. Sometimes informative, sometimes funny, painfully true, outrageously opinionated but always entertaining so we hope it adds a slightly different dimension to the usual normality of searching through the fantastic properties for sale on the Cle France website.

If you want more? then follow the links above where you can buy Fraser's published books.

France is synonymous with passion. French demoiselles and young macho Frenchmen are the legendary stuff of romance and French literature and films are full of it. Paris is always pictured as the most romantic city in the world and I think it really is. Whenever I visit it I feel romance in the air.

The French language sounds enchanting, and there's nothing sexier than a young French person speaking English. The soft tones of the French accent along with the musical intonation the French have with their speech have an instant effect on most English men and women. So it is when landing at a French port of entry there is an instant feeling of relaxation and romance.

It has always affected me in this way and many people I know with holiday homes in France tell me they get the same vibes the minute they hit French soil. They start holding hands, something they seldom do in England. The next thing is they are whispering sweet nothings to each other and pecking each other on the cheeks. Soon the soothing effect of France and the laid back attitude of the French starts to rub off and the stresses of British life seem to melt away. The next thing they know, long married couples are falling in love all over again and remembering what romance was like when they first met.

Friends regularly say to me, as they near the end of their sojourn how much they would like to stay on and how they envy my living out here. And so it seems that marriages really flourish in France. Yes, honestly!

If you want more? then follow the links above, in the images, where you can buy Fraser's published books.

Fraser Blake, 70, author of 'Dear Chips' and 'A Rant Too Far?' grew up in Africa, was at school in Scotland, and worked for the British South Africa Police in Southern Rhodesia. He has taught English in Saudi Arabia and sold and renovated hundreds of properties in Northern France.

In 1998 Fraser was selling houses in the Mayenne department of the Pays de la Loire region and so was the obvious choice, when Cle France was started, to be their first agent on the ground in France. In retirement he writes, blogs, cooks, drinks wine, and hosts to dinner unlimited numbers of ex-pats.

Always on hand with a viewpoint, Fraser is going to share his views on France, the French and the British, and other people who buy in France. Sometimes informative, sometimes funny, painfully true, outrageously opinionated but always entertaining so we hope it adds a slightly different dimension to the usual normality of searching through the fantastic properties for sale on the Cle France website.

Watch out for more rants and opinion next week or buy the book today for a rollicking good read.