Lying caught in the first bend of the Sarthe river, against the hills of Perche, open to the plains of Normandy and Le Mans, Saosnois was placed under the protection of the gaullish goddess of water: sauconna or saugonna, a name which had been deformed to give Sagona, Saosnes and even, Sonne.
The Perseigne National Forest covers over 5100 hectares. This hilly forested area is one of the largest in the Sarthe department. its varied geography and vegetation have given rise to the many rambling routes available, including the route up to Perseigne belvèdère, the highest point in Sarthe which offer spectacular viewpoints over the forests and landscapes of Saosnois, Perche, the Alençon plain and the Mancelles Alps. On a fine day, it is possible to catch a glimpse of Saint-Julien Cathedral in Le Mans.
More information:
Pays d'Alençon Tourist Office
29 place Carnot
BP152
F-72 600 Mamers
Tel. +33 (0)2 43 97 60 63
www.paysdalencontourisme.com
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www.tourism.sarthe.com
