The forest of Perseigne extends to the east from Alençon, in the department of the the Sarthe, in the Pays Maine Normand or the mancelles Alps, in the Vallée of hell, mainly on the commune of Neufchâtel-in-Saosnois. The Forêt belongs to the Regional natural park Normandy-Maine.

It is distinguished from the Forêt of Bellême which starts with six kilometers more in the east, by a broken relief and an altitude of 349 m at its culminating point. It is possible per good weather to see, since the view-point, the dome of the Cathédrale of Mans, located at 45 km from there.

From a surface of approximately 5.100 hectares, it extends on 15 kilometers from length and 5 kilometers broad. It is as a planted majority of Chêne S sessile, Hêtre S and woodland pines, but also of pines laricio, Oregon firs, Bouleau X and Tremble S. the leafy trees account for 80% of the forest.

Remarkable places

• the View-point of Perseigne , turn of 30 height m observation, located at the culminating point and which by exceeding the summit of the trees, offers a splendid sight on Saosnois and the plain of Alençon.
• Abbey of Perseigne founded by Guillaume III Talvas, Count de Ponthieu and lord of Alençon.

History

• the forest of Perseigne was baptized by the legions of César which gave him the name of Personia .
• Property of the Vicairie of the Saosnois before becoming the stronghold of the counts of the Pole at the 10th century.
• In 1130, foundation of the Abbey of Perseigne by Guillaume III Talvas.
• In 1364, fire of the Abbey of Perseigne
• royal Forest until in 1791, it becomes national forest after 1791. It provided the charcoal for the forging mills of the Field-of-the-Pierre and Game preserve.

See too