Let us take a look at the beautiful and historical town of Lassay les Châteaux in the region of Pays de la Loire (dept. 53, Mayenne).

One of the main reasons I love this “Petite Cité de Caractère” is because I lived 15 minutes from it for 12 years between 2000 and 2012 and it was my local town to visit for banking, shopping and relaxing with a beer watching the world go by, a great location and not to mention the weekly markets, seasonal fairs and events as well as a annual comedy gala.

Nestled near the top of the Pays de la Loire region and close to the Normandy border is the town of Lassay les Chateaux. Surrounded by the beautiful and gentle rolling landscape of the Mayenne this medieval town offers more than just a magnificent chateau (in fact there are three!). Like elsewhere in the department of Mayenne the pace of life follows the seasons, the old rural ways and traditions don't try and keep pace with modern ways, instead the locals prefer the relaxed atmosphere.

The Chateau is set overlooking a lake which reflects the turrets and you would be hard pushed not to take a competition winning photo. The Chateau, lake and gardens of Lassay les Chateaux keep the visitors coming back time and again as well as attracting newcomers and holiday home owners.

    As mentioned earlier, Lassay les Chateaux, as its name implies, is a town that has more than one chateau. Sadly, two of these are in ruins, but the main one is intact and is a fine example of 15th century architecture. Open to the public, the chateau is a must to visit and casts a marvellous atmosphere over the town.

    Lassay is a market town, and on market day (Wednesday) the locals and visitors alike swarm around the market with a vigour that contrasts with its otherwise tranquil existence. During the summer and sometimes at other times of the year the town celebrates in typical French fashion with Brocante markets, festivals, events and other fete days. These various festivals held in and around the town vary from year to year but the most notable are a summer comedy and music gala and of course, Bastille Day.

    Whether you are planning to visit for a holiday or a property viewing trip, be careful as you may end up staying forever, it has such charm! The centre of town boasts a selection of shops and amenities with a lovely small village community feel. Banks, Post Office, hairdresser, bars and restaurants are easy to find alongside gift shops and the usual Boulangerie and Boucherie.

There are larger towns nearby if need be but Lassay has a new (opened 2011) large supermarket on the outskirts of the town. The area is popular with walkers, cyclists and horse-riders, these slower ways to see the area are the best and most enjoyable. Sports facilities include tennis courts, a sports hall and an outdoor swimming pool, which is open during the summer.      

To get to Lassay les Chateaux the nearest ports are Caen, St Malo and Le Havre. Dieppe 155 miles (to Newhaven), Caen 65 miles (to Portsmouth), Cherbourg 120 miles (to Poole and Portsmouth), St Malo 85 miles (to Portsmouth and Channel Islands), Le Havre 105 miles (to Newhaven and Portsmouth), Calais 250 miles (to Dover and Folkestone).

By Air you could try Caen 65 miles, Rennes 70 miles, Angers 70 miles, Dinard 85 miles, Tours 105 miles, Nantes 115 miles, Paris Orly 150 miles, Paris Charles de Gaulle 165 miles, Paris Beauvais 170 miles (to / from a variety of UK airports).

By Train Laval is only 35 minutes away and Laval to Paris approx. 1 hour 30 minutes on the TGV.

Drivers will find the town from the N12.

    So what about property prices and availability in and around Lassay les Chateaux?

Property here tends to be mid-priced in comparison to the region, in comparison to the UK everything seems to be a bargain!

We always have some excellent bargains available in and around Lassay, from inexpensive town properties to magnificent countryside farmhouses as well as some exciting renovation projects on the market for a very low price.

Chateau and Lake.

The Main High street opposite where the market is held.

The Old linen washing facilities !

That famous photo opportunity again.

One of the other 2 Chateaux.

Chateau from the air.

Blog submitted by: David at Cle France.

Let us take a look at the historic city of Dol in the region of Brittany (dept. 35, Ille et Vilaine).

The proud and historic city of Dol-de-Bretagne, with its fascinating cathedral, was built above the marshes extending to the Bay of Mont St-Michel. Out of this dramatically flat landscape emerges an extraordinary sight, Mont Dol, where Saint Michael supposedly fought off Satan. A relatively easy climb for the novice and well worth the views at the top on a clear day.

In 549, the Welsh Saint Teilo was documented as coming to Dol where he joined Samson of Dol and to this day the fruit groves which they planted remain and are known as the groves of Teilo and Samson. Legend has it that while there he was assigned by King Budic II to subdue a winged dragon, which he was said to have tamed and then tied to a rock in the sea off Brittany. He is reported to have stayed in Dol for seven years and seven months so must have left in 556 or 557.

Dol boasts some old medieval houses along its high street,which is stunning, but the outstanding building in the town is the 13th-century cathedral. The roots of the cathedral go back to the same dynamic 6th-century Welshman named Samson (Samson of Dol) legend has it, he rid the local lord’s wife of leprosy and his daughter of demons, for which kind services he was rewarded with land. When King John of England’s troops burned down the Romanesque cathedral, a mighty new Gothic one was built – one particularly ugly gargoyle on it is said to resemble the evil monarch. there is a very interesting museum to visit if you are interested in cathedrals and medieval times called "Médiavylis".

Mont Dol is an outcrop of rock resembling another island like that of Mont St-Michel, but this one stands alone on the flat coastal plain in front of Dol. Stunning views across northeast Brittany are enjoyed from the summit 65 metres above sea level and without too much risk or equipment you can reach the small plateau by practising your rock climbing. Once on the plateau here is a less strenuously climb in the shape of the Tour Notre-Dame, highlighted by a large statue of the Virgin Mary, for the most stunning views of the patchwork of fields below and the Bay of Mont St-Michel beyond. One of the two windmills on Mont Dol is usually open for visits.

                 So what about property prices and availability in and around Dol de Bretagne?

As a lot of property is situated either close to the town, the sea or the bay of Mont st Michel you can expect to pay a higher price than that inland. However the area around Dol de Bretagne is steeped in history and you would find it hard not to fall in love with the landscape and relaxed way of life here.

We always have some excellent bargains available in and around Dol de Bretagne, from town and village properties to magnificent countryside farmhouses and sea front villas, as well as some exciting renovation projects on the market for a very low price.

If you are not already on our mailing list then do subscribe and let us know if this is an area you are interested in, you will then be kept upto date with any new properties on the market as well and news and updates.

 le-champ-dolent, Dol de Bretagne.

 High street, Dol de Bretagne.

 Cathedral, Dol de Bretagne.

 Chateau near, Dol de Bretagne.

 Combourg Chateau.

 Mont St Michel.

 The harbour, Dol de Bretagne. 

Blog submitted by: David at Cle France.

Let us take a look at the delightful town of Bagnoles de l'Orne in Lower Normandy (dept. 61, Orne).

Bagnoles de l'Orne is a long established resort in the south of the Orne department of Normandy, south-west from Argentan and east of Domfront. It is the only Spa Town in Normandy and has an air of the exclusivity about it.

The town has a number of good restaurants and plenty of useful shops and other facilities. Leisure pursuits in Bagnoles include tennis and golf, and of course, thermal baths and treatments.

The town developed and prospered as a health resort around its thermal spa waters and grand buildings such as the 'Grand Hotel' as well as the picturesque lake, gardens, riverside walks, cascades and forest as well as many other attractions including good sports facilities.

As a consequence Bagnoles de l'Orne has a great deal of interesting 19th century architecture to enjoy, and its position in the Andaines Forest adds to the appeal of Bagnoles. It has successfully attracted tourists for well over 100 years and continues to be a popular destination. The spa waters are still a big attraction, click on some of the links on this page to find out more about the thermes-bagnoles  and the many health and relaxation options available if you are visiting to relax and unwind. Tales of their amazing restorative powers include an ageing monk being given the power to leap from the highest rocks above the town and the story of a horse recovering from the brink of death.

Apart from the spa waters it is perhaps the fine examples of the "belle-epoque" (approx 1884-1914) architecture that Bagnoles de l'Orne is best known for. Particularly fine examples can be found in the "quartier belle-epoque" towards the south of the town.

The "belle-epoque" style came to an abrupt end with the First World War, to be replaced when the war ended by the new "art-deco" style, also very well represented in Bagnoles. During the "Roaring Twenties" this part of town grew up as a result of the rapid growth in popularity of the thermal leisure industry. The "bright young things" came to Bagnoles for entertainment on a level previously unknown in this quiet yet affluent town. The casino, concert and dance halls were built, along with facilities for horse racing and golf.

Art Deco was "the style" and it  was all the rage in this era and in Bagnoles! The most obvious example is the Casino next to the lake, as well as the Church of Saint John the Baptist built around the same time which is also worth a visit.

The oldest part of Bagnoles de l'Orne is the "Quartier Tessé"  and we recommend leisurely stroll to take in its history. The region around the town includes a large forested area (Andaines Forest), and is very popular with cyclists and walking enthusiats enjoying the Normandy countryside.

Close by is the medieval town of Domfront with its charmingly streets, well worth a visit on market day. The 15th century town of Lassay les Châteaux (dept. 53 Pays de la Loire) previously featured on our site is also well worth a visit. The floral town of St Fraimbault (dept.61 Normandy) is also a must as during the summer the whole village is bedecked with flowers, culminating in a weekend festival during August.

Property in the town itself is generally more expensive than property outside of the town, because Bagnoles is a popular town in which to live and offers good services and amenities. The area near Bagnoles is becoming more and more popular with foreign buyers; we predict prices are set to rise as it grows in popularity. So call us to make arrangements for viewing sooner rather than later!

 The Spa at Bagnoles de l'Orne.

 Casino and Lake.

 Hotel de Ville.

 Bagnoles de l'Orne from the air.

Blog submitted by: David at Cle France.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying Pays de la Loire is one of France's best-kept secrets. After all, the famous River Loire runs its sinuous way through the region and it is home to some of France's most recognisable, not to mention picturesque, châteaux.

However, it is framed by the hugely popular Brittany to the north, and the sun-kissed Poitou-Charentes to the south, so it is little wonder that, when Brits are looking for property along the north-eastern marches of France, their attention is not unreasonably drawn towards Pays de la Loire’s neighbours.

To be fair, Pays de la Loire does borrow more than just a cup of sugar from these neighbours. A relatively recent creation, it incorporates a large chunk of what used to be Brittany and parts of Poitou-Charentes. Occupied by William the Conqueror in 1064, it also includes Norman elements, and is a fascinatingly diverse and disparate region that is pulled together by the Loire river running through it.

Today, the region comprises 32,082km² that are divided between the departments of Loire-Atlantique, Maine-et-Loire, Mayenne, Sarthe and Vendée. And across these five departments are a spectacular array of delights and attractions.

What is your favourite region, department, town, village or part of France?

Blog Submitted by: Alex at Cle France.