Description:

Introduction

The town is located in the heart of a 17,000 acre forest and, above all, is known for its thermal spa. Normandy is a horse-breeding region and Bagnoles de l’Orne is a wonderful equestrian location offering many events at the Belle Epoque racecourse as well as show jumping in the castle’s park. Bagnoles and its surroundings are claimed to be home to the Arthurian legend and Lancelot.

Geography

Bagnoles de l’Orne is located between Caen and Laval, 102 km from Caen, 135 km from Rennes and 239 km from Paris.

Economy

The economy of the region is based on tourism, the thermal spa and health and fitness.

Commerce

The town has a good range of shops, restaurants and bars.

Culture: The town offers theatre, cinema, music and art exhibitions and a varied programme of festivals throughout the year. The calendar of cultural events includes visits to the most famous Arthurian sites.

Tourism

Tourist Office, Place du Marché. Telephone: 02 33 37 85 66

Worth a Visit

The Casino The 1930s art deco-style Casino sits beside a lake and offers a range of entertainment, pub-cabaret, dancing, theme parties, cinema, theatre and a restaurant as well as the opportunity to play roulette, black jack and other games.

The Belle Epoque District in the south of the town is filled with superb multi-coloured bourgeois villas and was developed between 1886 and 1914 at the time of the development of the railways and a growing interest of thermal spas.

The Thermal Spa ;the spa is located in a 7,000-hectare park and is the closest thermal spa to Paris. In 2010, the season runs from 22 March to 14 November.

La Musée des Sapeurs-Pompiers The Fire Service museum houses a collection of vehicles dating back to 1790. Open from April to October from 2pm to 6pm. Telephone: 02 33 38 10 34