LOCATION
population rarely surpasses the 3,000 mark – but it is surprisingly full of activities for all ages. From nature trails in the woods and acrobatic circuits in the trees, to art exhibitions in the château and summer jazz evenings in the park, there is something for everyone in this lovely town. Laure Lefeuvre of Agence
Bagnoles Immobilier credits the range of activities for Bagnoles’ popularity, as well as the town’s charm. “People come here to live in a very pleasant environment with lots of nature, including the huge forest,” she says. “There’s also a casino, the iconic lake and lots of shops, not to mention the town now has fibre internet. Bagnoles is a station thermale and as more and more people are interested in wellness since Covid, many choose to live here for that reason.” There is a wide variety of
property available in this picturesque town, ranging from apartments in the centre to Belle Époque houses behind the park and château. Prices are still affordable too. You can find a one-bedroom apartment in the sought-after La Résidence du Lac complex, next to the lake, from €70,000, detached houses to renovate between €100,000 and €130,000, and an immaculate three- bedroom detached house for approximately €200,000.
LA FERTÉ-MACÉ Follow the departmental road just 10km from Bagnoles-de- l’Orne and you’ll find more gastronomical delights in La Ferté-Macé. The town is home to one of only 10 shops authorised to make and sell the famous étriers normands throughout Orne. These decadent delights
were created back in 1986 in homage to the ubiquitous horses and stud farms in the department. Each chocolate is a luxurious mix of praline and nougatine, coated in dark or milk chocolate, bearing one of two symbols: a horse’s head or a horse’s head inside a stirrup. The chocolates are now one of the department’s main gastronomical delights and their name has even been trademarked.
cafés watching passers-by and putting the world to rights over fresh coffee and croissants. This is a sought-after town
La Ferté-Macé is a bustling market town with an amazing leisure park
“These decadent delights were created back in 1986 in homage to the local horses and stud farms”
There is a wide range of Étriers normands – chocolate heaven! The town of La Ferté-Macé
itself is bustling and lively. In contrast to its quaint neighbour Bagnoles, this is a working town and far less touristy, with all the commodities necessary for a larger population: primary school, collèges and lycées, a hospital and clinics. The outskirts have also been heavily developed in recent years to include commercial centres with all the major stores.
On the market
things to do here too, including an 18-hole golf course, a large aquatic centre and an amazing leisure park – spread over 65 hectares, it’s a perfect blend of lush green open spaces and wooded areas, a shimmering lake and a magnificent beach. Here, you can play mini golf, go kayaking on the lake, or enjoy a barbecue in the picnic areas. It’s a popular spot for both locals and visitors alike. Every Thursday morning, the
streets of the old town come alive for the weekly market, filled with local vendors chatting away merrily with each other and their customers. Heavenly aromas of sizzling sausages, sugary crêpes and fresh brioche fill the air, and people sit chatting outside the
due to its proximity to the tourist mecca of Bagnoles- de-l’Orne and its access to Caen (just over one hour’s drive) and Paris (three hours’ drive). Karine Chenel of SAFTI Immobilier explains why there is such a demand for property here. “Everything is beautiful and green,” she says. “With the forest, the water… there’s so much to do outdoors and everything you need to feel rejuvenated. There’s a wide range of activities as well as a choice of property for sale – something for everyone whatever their budget.” For around €60,000 you
can find a small, two-bedroom house (approximately 70m2
)
in the town centre. If you’re looking for a traditional stone property, popular in this area, expect to pay between €160,000 and €180,000 for a large house (approximately 150m2
) with four bedrooms
and no work needed. Those looking for a renovation project will also find plenty to choose from in this area. Prices start at around €55,000 for a basic house with a surface area of 100m2
in the countryside surrounding La Ferté-Macé.
LONLAY-L’ABBAYE Head west from La Ferté-Macé and drive along the shaded forest road for just 30km and you’ll reach the glorious commune of Lonlay-l’Abbaye. This small village may have just over a thousand residents, but it has enormous character. A magnificent abbey dating back
FIND MORE PROPERTIES ON
FRANCEPROPERTYSHOP.COM
4
€162,000 Les-Monts- d’Andaine Six-bedroom house with an enclosed garden; double glazing, mains drains and electric heating; near shops and schools, in a residential area (SAFTI)
€100,700 La Ferté-Macé In a quiet cul-de-sac, charming two-bedroom house with small garden and patio; shops within walking distance (Agence Bagnoles Immobilier)
€190,000 La Ferté-Macé Luxurious four-bedroom ‘maison de mâitre’ style house in the Andaine forest, with over 5,000m2
of land, plus a large outbuilding (SAFTI) FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: May/June 202449
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