The park contains the Signal d'Écouves, which is the highest peak in the Normandy region.
It was one of the first regional nature parks created in France, established in 1975.
The park's territory overlaps with the Normandie-Maine UNESCO Global Geopark, recognized for 500 million years of geological history.
The Andaines Forest within the park is linked to Arthurian legends and the tradition of the 'Lancelot' tales.
It protects rare peat bog ecosystems that are sensitive to climate and human activity.
The park includes the thermal spa town of Bagnoles-de-l'Orne, unique for its Belle Époque architecture.
The administrative headquarters occupy the historic Château de Carrouges, a monument featuring 14th to 17th-century architecture.
The Regional Nature Park Normandy-Maine spans over 257,000 hectares across the Orne, Mayenne, Sarthe, and Manche departments. It functions as a protected landscape encompassing forests, bocage farmland, and peat bogs. The park headquarters are located at the Château de Carrouges. Its geography features the highest points in western France, including the Signal d'Écouves at 413 meters. The park serves as a bridge between the granite massifs of the Armorican Massif and the sedimentary basins of the Paris Basin. It hosts a diverse range of ecosystems, including the Andaines forest and the Haute-Sarthe valleys. Visitors can access a network of marked hiking, cycling, and equestrian trails that cross historical bocage hedgerows. The area is designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark due to its unique geological heritage. It integrates human habitation with conservation, supporting rural heritage and sustainable agricultural practices.
The gardens and moat area surrounding the Château de Carrouges in Carrouges.
Visit the Maison du Parc in Carrouges first to obtain updated trail maps and current weather advisories.
Download offline topographical maps before arriving, as mobile network coverage is unreliable in dense forest sectors.
Bring binoculars if visiting the wetlands or the Orne valley for birdwatching.
Attempting to hike deep forest trails without appropriate footwear or proper navigational tools.
Stay strictly on marked paths to protect fragile peat bog ecosystems and respect private land boundaries.
