La Flèche

• The Zoo de la Flèche: Created in 1946, the Zoo La Flèche is surely the most visited tourist site in the city. The oldest private park in France, it has no less than 1,200 animals spread over 150 different species. It is particularly possible to discover lemurs, white lions or elephants, and sleep on the spot in lodges installed in the heart of the establishment.
• The Prytanée National Militaire: It was in 1603 that King Henry IV yielded his Château-Neuf for the creation of a college of Jesuits. Built in 1540, the monument has a classical architecture that houses since the early nineteenth century one of six military high schools in France, the Prytanée. You can still admire the church of St. Louis at the beginning of the seventeenth century and classified as an historic monument, or a very beautiful door nicknamed a pediment in the effigy of King Henry IV. The site also has a beautiful French garden which extends over thirteen hectares.
• The castle of the Carmelites: Today used as weddings room or as a place of exhibition, the castle of Carmes takes place in the middle of the Loir. First fortress of the eleventh century, it is often ravaged and burned, especially during the Hundred Years War, before being completely rebuilt in the 1920s.
• The Visitation: Listed as a Historical Monument, the old Monastery of the Visitation is now used as a hospital in La Flèche. Founded in the mid-seventeenth century, it underwent many changes during the nineteenth century, including the addition of a chapel.
• The Bruère mill: Built at the end of the 11th century, the mill of the Bruère is at the moment the last mill in France to produce ice cream. Since the beginning of the 20th century, it has also produced electricity before being closed in 1992.
• Halle-au-Whé: While strolling in La Flèche, you will be able to appreciate the Halle-au-Blé, registered with the Historical Monuments. Ancient wooden halls of the Middle Ages, they were rebuilt in stone during the eighteenth century before hosting a theater in the nineteenth century Italian.
• Place Henri IV and the center of La Flèche: Do not miss the place Henri IV, the oldest in the city, which features a monumental fountain of the nineteenth century with a bronze statue of the former King of France. The old center of La Flèche also unveils beautiful mansions and other remarkable lodgings, like the hotel Huger classified as an historic monument. Built in the 18th century, it now hosts exhibitions of contemporary art. In Grollier Street, a square tower of the sixteenth century has been listed as an historic monument.
• Religious buildings: There are several religious buildings in La Flèche, such as the Saint-Thomas Romanesque church, which was heavily modified in the 19th century. It hosts several objects classified as Historical Monuments like a statue of Notre-Dame-du-Chef-du-Pont dating from the sixteenth century. The oldest church in the city, Notre-Dame-des-Vertus chapel dates from the Gallo-Roman era. Rebuilt in the 12th century, it reveals beautiful carved woodwork and has been listed as a Historical Monument. Also noteworthy is the Sainte-Colombe Church, which is inscribed and Gothic Revival style.
• The marsh of Cré-sur-Loir: regional nature reserve, the marsh of Cré-sur-Loir / La Flèche offers several discovery trails to browse to discover the local fauna and flora. The banks of the Loir are also equipped with the park of Carmes and the ruins of the old castle, natural site.
• The Monnerie: The lakes of the Monnerie include a bathing lake, a bike and pedestrian path, or a beach and a fishing lake.

• The La Flèche market, one of the most popular in the West-West region, is held on Wednesday and Sunday mornings.
• In January, La Flèche hosts classical music concerts in the region of the Folle Journée de Nantes festival.
• The funfair of La Flèche is organized every year in February and in March at the Ash fair.
• An exhibition fair is held every year in April.
• Organized every second weekend of July, the festival Affranchis offers theater and street arts throughout the city.
• In July and August, the Musical Fridays put on concerts every Friday evening in Place Henri IV.
• The harvest festival is held every September.
• A Christmas market is proposed in December including the installation of an outdoor ice rink.
• For the summer season, the Tourist Office of the Loir Valley also offers an agenda that lists around 300 events and activities to discover from June to September.

Ideal for outings with family or friends, bike loops proposed by the Tourist Office of the Loir Valley will allow you to discover the secret nuggets that make up this territory and at your own pace.

Two bike loops are from La Flèche:

Loop # 1: Loir et Orchards: This 20-kilometer ride on small roads takes you through the countryside, orchards, beautiful homes and even enjoy a view of the Loir Bazouges-sur-le-Loir. Take time to visit the castle and its gardens, the church Saint Aubin (12th century) and the former village wash. For a 100% natural immersion, made a stop at the marshes of Cré-sur-Loir, classified "Regional Nature Reserve" and "Sensitive Natural Area", this space at the edge of the Loir includes a set of reedbeds, alluvial woods and wet meadows.

Loop n ° 2: Loir et Châteaux: Leave in peace on this loop of 30 km which will lead you on the banks of the Loir and the village of character of Luché-Pringé. Essentially arranged on track or path, this loop is ideal for families. Through the small paths along the Loir, leave the town of La Flèche to reach the town of Luché-Pringé. Discover back to the hillside, the private castles and beautiful homes that seem to admire the valley. A picnic break at the edge of the Loir, mid-way is required in this small village with discreet charm. The return will be in the shade of pines, on the greenway between Luché-Pringé and the city of La Flèche! Nearly 15 kilometers of tracks without car, enough to take a breath of fresh air!

Water activities and leisure activities at Lake Monnerie: Around a swimming lake bordered by a sandy beach and a fishing lake, the site of La Monnerie welcomes walkers and nature lovers. This 8,000 m² wide base is labeled Blue Flag and monitored in season. Many facilities and leisure activities are available: fishing, beach soccer field, beach volleyball, sailing club, pedal boats and paddle rentals, picnic tables, promontory for the kite or the boomerang, mixed path pedestrian / cycles along the lake, fitness trail, hiking trails, permanent orientation course, golf course "Disc golf"... Access to the beach and parking are free. Treats, drinks and sandwiches are sold seasonally near the beach. During the summer season, the beach and the surrounding lake are cleaned daily, several times a day. The site of La Monnerie presents a rich biodiversity and the mosaic of the natural environments allows a remarkable richness, especially from the faunistic point of view. The developments already completed have made it possible to welcome certain populations of remarkable species.

Since 2019, the Land of Art and History of the Loir Valley offers you a digital journey, fun and poetic: "After the mysterious discovery of a species of dormouse still unknown, Professor Olafur Olafsson is called for the It is an incredible discovery: its small dormice feeds on time, absorbing the memory contained in certain materials and using it to prolong their life, thus allowing us to discover new information about the Valley. du Loir... "Go to the Pursuit du Temps Hidden at the mill of the Bruère: the dorms around the mill will reveal the changes of landscape, mill and atmosphere throughout the centuries. Bring your smartphone or tablet to search for dormice. No need for connection and Internet package to go to the Pursuit of Hidden Time! Go to the 5 places mentioned above, connect to the local WiFi and follow the instructions.