With its many rivers, Anjou is a beautiful area that offers a wide variety of landscapes. Climb aboard a boat and spend an unforgettable day following the twists and turns of the Sarthe.
Sablé-sur-Sarthe is a charming village in the Pays de la Loire, which has an active watersports centre. It is located less than a forty minute drive from the Château des Briottières. If you fancy a mini-cruise along the Sarthe, you can hire a boat which can be handled without a licence. These boats advance at a stately pace, so you can travel safely and admire the beauty of the landscapes of Anjou.
The boats can be hired for a day and can accommodate up to eight people. You can also choose a simple, electrically-propelled boat and move noiselessly through the water. If you want a greater level of comfort, there are boats with fully equipped kitchens and toilets, available for hire. Some models are also accessible to people with reduced mobility.
From Sablé-sur-Sarthe, the nearest destination is Solesmes. This village is primarily known for the Abbey of Saint-Pierre. In addition to being an architectural masterpiece, it is famous for the Gregorian chant intoned by the monks. Further along, after going through two locks, is Juigné-sur-Sarthe, a picturesque hamlet that houses a toy museum and a château complete with a park.
Even further along is Avoise, home to the Château de Dodert, recognisable by its classic style and its huge moat. Overlooking the Sarthe, the manor of Perrine de Cry is also not to be missed during your journey through the Avoise area. After eight locks heading eastward, you will come to Parcé. Its historical heritage offers (amongst other things) a Calvary cross, turrets, the Tour Saint-Pierre and the Stations of the Cross.
Before you head off in your boat, the team will tell you the basics of navigation and the essential rules for your safety, so your river trip runs smoothly. They will also teach you how to moor up so you don’t miss any stops along the way. All the boats have a ladder on the side so you can swim if the water is warm enough.
Chateau des Briottières 
