The Perche, a forgotten corner in the extreme southeast of Normandy is the starting point to discover the manors, the country houses, that are so abundant here. It is a rustic region with lots of nature. You leave the big cities behind and go on a wander through this beautiful region full of horses, apples and forests, wide views and the manors. Along the way you get a good impression of the landscape and it is very worthwhile to visit the Maison du Parc in the Manoir de Courboyer.

The Along the Manors from Bellêmes tour starts on the square. This tourist circuit, nearly 150 km long, crosses the “country of the manors” where you can admire some of the most beautiful jewels. The pride of the region, the stately homes stand side by side with high-quality rural homes. Coatings in warm tones, red tiles, white or brown stones give a lot of charm to this countryside of the Percherons, a land of memory and traditions.
Of the 700 manors that originally existed, Perche still has around a hundred country houses. These small architectural gems, stately homes, were for the most part the seat of agricultural activities. Built between the end of the Hundred Years War and the 16th century, they bear witness to the glorious past of the province. You will discover the charm of these characteristic houses as you travel along the quiet roads of Perche.

The manors to be visited often also have a secondary function. Besides just being beautiful, you can sometimes stay there and/or have a meal, it is a museum or heritage house, a private home or a 'mairie'. Whatever the case, they remain a feast for the eyes. The winding road between golden yellow hilly fields is short-lived, however. One manor after the other suddenly appears from behind the greenery.

After refueling, your journey really begins. Southwards, the trip takes you past the Chateau de Feugerets, now in use as a hotel. The church and mill of Gémages are interesting. The church has a remarkable portal and the water mill is used as accommodation for fly fishing enthusiasts.
On your way to the château de l'Hermitière you suddenly realise that you are in the department of Orne. Surely there must be a glass of Normandy apple cider somewhere, right? A cider brewery just before the village of l'Hermitière finally comes to the rescue. Cheers!

If you are lucky in Saint-Cyr-la-Rosière to see a parade of Percheron horses, the horse breed from this region the Perche. Every year festively dressed Percherons put their best foot forward at the eco-museum in the old priory of Sainte-Gauburge.

The Perche wouldn't be the Perche without a Sunday flea market. There's nothing more to do around the church tower of the small Dame-Marie. Worse still, there's not a drop to drink anywhere near. And that with a leaden sun above your head. So stock up on some fluids in Préaux du Perche. After coffee, head to the Jardin François, a beautifully landscaped garden that follows the seasons. So, visit it!

You now make a detour to the capital of the Perche: Nogent-le-Rotrou. With the castle of the counts of Rotrou, the city possesses a jewel. It is time for lunch. At the church of Notre-Dame, which is very worthwhile, you can park on the square. There are several places to eat there.
After lunch, there is a beautiful route, where the manors line up, such as Manoir du Plessis and Manoir de L'Ormarin. Here you can effortlessly capture one still life after another in your camera lens. Fortunately, there are a few more people on the move in Manoir de Courboyer. This has a lot to do with the information centre – and associated dining facility! – in an outbuilding of the castle. The 16th-century silhouette of the manor stands out sharply against the hilly greenery. Here you can happily stretch your legs. Then it continues: Manoir des Perrignes, Manoir de Moussetière, Château de Maison-Maugis, Manoir de la Vove and so on.

After the 17th century catinat bridge of Mauves sur Huisne you enter the city of black pudding, Mortagne-au-Perche.
Mortagne was once a fortified fortress, situated on a hill. Fort Toussaint, as it was called, served as the home of the Counts of Perche. It was built in the 11th and 12th centuries in the shape of a pentagon, had three entrance gates and several towers. During the Hundred Years' War, the fortress was badly damaged. At the same time as the restoration work, a part of the city outside the fortress was also walled. This wall had twenty towers and five entrance gates and proved to be a true showpiece of defensive art. There is much to see in Mortagne-au-Perche: Porte Saint-Denis. Église Notre-Dame Crypte Saint-André to name a few.

Then it is a matter of gradually returning to Bellême. You do this via the medieval La Perrière. La Perrière is not only known for its antique and art market. Until the middle of the 20th century, the delicate fingers of the village women were skilled in making the precious needle lace. It was Colbert, the minister of the Sun King, who launched a variant based on the Venetian model. What we do ourselves, we do better, right? The lacework of Alençon and Argentan is world famous, but this cottage industry also reached great heights in La Perrière. The windows of the small workers' houses still prove it.

Then you drive back to Bellême. The few hamlets you drive through are wrapped in a conspiratorial silence. These are small villages that define the face of the Perche. Which does not mean that there are no interesting towns. In September, the Forest of Bellême is a mushroom paradise.

Bells
Bellême dates back to the 10th century, when a castle was built by Yves de Creil at a crossroads. It was the beginning of a rich history, in which Bellême grew into one of the capitals of the County of Perche. The city had strong fortifications; it was completely walled and had two entrance gates and two watchtowers. Bellême was taken and destroyed several times during the Hundred Years' War and was not spared in the later Wars of Huguenots. Until the 16th century, Bellême was considered the capital of the Perche because of its strong fortifications, but over time the capital's tasks were taken over by Mortagne-au-Perche.
There is not much left of the once so strong fortifications of Bellême. In a few places you can still see parts of the old city wall, the old castle wall and the former moat. One of the two entrance gates and one of the two fortified towers have also been preserved. Nevertheless, it is worth strolling through the streets, especially the Rue Ville-Close and the city gate are must see. It does not take an hour before we have seen the most beautiful corners of the fortified city center. For example, you can still enjoy a drink on a terrace in what turns out to be a popular bistro. Life here goes its French way. You leave your smartphone in your coat and raise your glass to freedom. It is good to be here, because in the Perche the time of then is often the day of today.