FROM THE NORTH….

Its straightforward motorway all the way from the Channel Ports and Tunnel to Le Mans.  Just follow Paris and Rouen initially and then Rouen when the motorway divides.  The first section of autoroute is free, but the peage starts at Boulogne and continues to Abbeville [currently about 10€]. Then its free again until the other side of  Rouen.  At Rouen follow signs for Caen and go through all the industrial grot, eventually joining the Paris-Caen motorway. Its about 25km to the turnoff for the A28 to Bordeaux/Alencon and Le Mans [peage again and about 20€].  As you near Le Mans the motorway forks between Paris and Rennes, just keep following Rennes and you’ll skirt round Le Mans itself and find yourself on the A81.  Exit after 27km at the first junction, signposted for Sable.

There is a nice alternative route from just south of Alencon, which takes about the same time [depending on traffic conditions] and saves about 6€.   Take the exit for Sille-le-Guillaume, passing through Fresnay-sur-Sarthe which is well worth a short stop if you have time.  Sille isn’t very big but it can be a bit confusing – just keep following Sable. 

After either of these routes  then follow the last section below…..  

Follow Sable until you reach Brulon [6km] and go through the village. There are a couple of long rises/dips in the road and at the top of the second eise there’s a minor crossroads. Turn right to Avesse [0.5km] and go  into the village, and follow the road round to the left in front of the church.  You will come to a small village junction, and take the road to Cosse-en-Champagne.  At Cosse [7km] go straight through with the church on yr right, and in a further 2km you reach another crossroads [water tower on the right]. Turn left towards Epineux.  We are about 2km from here. After a couple of bends, and passing a couple of farms, you’ll see the village on the hill ahead of you [in daylight that is!]. On the right you’ll see a sign for a bend in the road, and on the left a roofless barn – that’s us. The entrance is a few metres further down the road – but if you reach the village then you’ve gone too far! Turn round and we’re the first house on the right

FROM THE SOUTH…

First get yourself to Sable sur Sarthe!  If you are coming from the Paris-Angers/Nantes/Saumur motorway then simply follow Laval/A81 through the suburbs.  Eventually you’ll cross the Sarthe with the town/chateau on yr left. Just after the bridge there’s a major junction…turn right following A81 [Laval is straight on] and at the top of rise as the road leaves town there is a left hand turn to Auvers le Hamon/Evron.  At Auvers [7km] go straight on at the roundabout into the centre of the village. Go straight through the square [church on yr right, mairie on yr left] following Epineux. Be careful the right of way in the village isn’t very clear].  After about 5km you’ll see Epineux on the hill ahead.  AS you enter the village  the main road bends left [mairie on yr right] follow it round and then follow it right towards St Suzanne and Bannes in another 50m opposite the church.  In front of you at the bottom of the hill is a bend in the road. We are the house on the right hidden behind the trees just after the bend.