Motorbike ride from the Bercé forest to La Ferté-Bernard
From the Bercé forest, with its trees that are sometimes three hundred years old, to the urban canals of La Ferté-Bernard, this itinerary takes you on a tour of a little-visited region of the département: Le Perche Sarthois. And, as is often the case, the most discreet places are those that hold the most beautiful and authentic surprises!
Also known as "Colbert's forest", because of the trees he replanted to supply the shipbuilding industry, the Bercé forest boasts an arboreal heritage that is rare in Europe. The oldest oaks have been given their names. Some are three hundred years old and reach 50 m in height. The site itself is also remarkable for its steep gradients. The narrow ribbon of tarmac resembles a giant toboggan from the top of which you can soar to your heart's content!
On leaving the forest, let's first make a detour southwards, towards Les Jasnières. Well-known to wine lovers, but probably less so to others, these hillsides are home to the vines that produce the wine of the same name. Just outside the village, at the very top of the hill, there's a promontory with an orientation table so you can see the whole landscape.
We then set off again in the direction of Saint Calais, through a landscape of valleys, interspersed with ponds and streams, sprinkled with farms and villages of Olympian calm. An old corn market, the narrow streets and the listed quays lining the river Anille make the centre of Saint Calais a very pleasant place to stop.
On the way back, we drive towards Semur-en-Vallon and its 18th-century castle, before discovering the castle of Montmirail, which dominates the town from the top of its promontory. This medieval fortress and its park are open to the public and offer another fine panorama of the region.
Finally, La Ferté-Bernard marks the end of this itinerary. While its canals have earned it the nickname of the "Venice of the West", its 15th-century church (Notre Dame des Marais) speaks volumes about the town's origins. And even if its defensive aspect (surrounding walls) has gradually disappeared over time, sit down on a terrace where you'll be more than happy to contemplate these centuries of history!
