Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Haras National du Pin
Haras National du Pin
You don't have to be a
horse lover to be impressed by
the style and splendour of the
national stud, a “Versailles for
horses” founded by Colbert in
the mid-17th century with the
approval of the Sun King himself.
Colbert commissioned Pierre
Le Mousseux, a protégé of
Mansart, to design it. At the
end of a long, grassy ride carved
through the surrounding woods,
the main château and two
elegant stable blocks (now
housing exhibits) enclose a
horseshoe-shaped courtyard
known as Colbert's Court, the
scene of horse and carriage
displays on Thursday afternoons
in summer. There are guided
tours of the forge, tack room
and stables, where some 100
stallions are kept at stud.
d
Le Pin-au-Haras
•
Map E5
•
Open
Apr-mid-Oct: daily; mid-Oct-Mar: pm
daily. Tours every half hour. Displays early
Jun-late Sep: 3pm Thu
•
02 33 36 68 68
Parc Naturel Régional de
Normandie-Maine
With a landscape marked by
escarpments and forests in the
haut pays
of the Alpes Mancelles,
and by rolling hills,
bocage
and
open country in the
bas pays
at
Saosnois and around Alençon and
Sées, this vast natural park dips
south from Basse-Normandie into
the
départements
of Mayenne
and Sarthe in the Pays-de-Loire.
Start your visit at the Maison du
Parc in Carrouges, where you'll
find detailed maps and itineraries.
There is also an information
centre at the Comptoir du Parc in
Alençon, and nature centres are
scattered throughout the park
(see p42)
.
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Map D5, E5
•
Maison du
Parc: Le Chapitre, Carrouges. 02 33 81 75
75
•
Open Mon-Fri
Château d'O
Its fairy-tale turrets, ornately
carved pediments and steep-
sloping roofs reflected in the
limpid, green waters of its
rectangular moat, this dainty
early-Renaissance château is as
enchanting as the family name is
curious. It was built mainly during
the 15th and 16th centuries, with
a west wing - now the living
quarters - added in the 18th. You
can wander in the grounds or
take a short tour of the interior,
furnished in predominantly 18th-
century style.
d
Mortrée
•
Map E5
•
Opening times vary: phone Orne tourist
office for details. 02 33 28 88 71
Horses
In stud farms throughout Orne,
Manche and Calvados, horses of
the highest calibre are bred, raised
and trained for competition. The
four main breeds are: thorough-
breds - spirited, highly-strung
racehorses; Norman trotters, a
mixed breed with a longer track
career; cobs - sturdy carriage
horses; and Percherons, ideal for
heavy farm work.
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