One km north, on the D26, is Château d’O. Reflected in the limpid green waters of its rectangular moat, this dainty early-Renaissance château is a gem of 15th-16thC domestic architecture. Its steep grey roofs, miniature turrets and ornately carved pediments give it a fairy-tale look. You can wander in the grounds, or take a tour of the interior, furnished in predominantly 18thC style.

Between Mortrée and Alencon, the D26 runs through the beautiful Forêt d’Ecouves, a splendid place for a picnic and a walk in the woods.