Located in the Loire Valley region in the west of France, the department of Sarthe is one that is dominated by the historic town of Le Mans and its famous 24-hour motor race.
Outside the town, Sarthe is a rural area, with plenty for nature lovers to see and do, including hiking trails, water sports and other more extreme excursions like climbing and karting.
Le Mans Le Mans, the main town in the region of Sarthe, is not just about motor racing.
Dating from Roman times, the town features examples of architecture throughout the centuries, including the remains of the town's Roman baths.
The most famous part of the town, aside from the racing circuit, is the Cite Plantangenet, the name given to the cobbled streets and half-timbered houses of old Le Mans.
This area is also home to the spectacular St Julien cathedral, with its impressive flying buttresses and religious artwork.
The Le Mans 24-hour race is held every year in June, though the event is always very popular so if you are planning to attend, make sure you buy your tickets well in advance.
The whole town becomes a festival dedicated to motorsports over the race weekend, so even if you don't have tickets to the circuit itself, you can still enjoy the atmosphere and entertainment which is on offer.
At other times of the year, you can even have a go at driving round the famous course yourself, either in karts or racing cars, if your budget can stretch to them! There are also other events which take place at the circuit, which while not as famous as the 24 hour race, are still entertaining.
Explore nature There are plenty of trails throughout the Sarthe region for cyclists, equestrians and hikers, and also mountain bike trails for the more adventurous.
There are horse riding centres at Change and Monc-en-Belin which offer guided pony treks through the countryside, while you can find details of several hiking and biking trails at local tourist information offices, some of which are themed to help you get the most out of your visit.
For those who prefer more adventurous activities, there are a number of climbing centres in Sarthe, including at Sille-le-Guillaume, which also offers water sports like kayaking and white water rafting.
If you prefer to stay on solid ground, you could always choose a 4X4 or quad bike driving tour through the Sarthe countryside, again with your own guide to point out the local attractions.