Nestling on the banks of the Huisne, at the heart of the peaceful countryside of Perche Sarthois, the medieval town of La Ferté-Bernard is full of picturesque charm, with its many canals and beautiful old houses. Once you have passed through the imposing St. Julian's Gate, a relic of the old ramparts, you can wander along the streets of Huisne and Carnot, admiring the superb timber-framed façades along the way.
You can also contemplate the splendid Flamboyant Gothic architecture of the Church of Our Lady of the Marshes, built in the 15th and 16th centuries. Inside is a Renaissance chancel, magnificent stained glass windows from the 15th, 16th and 19th centuries, a swallow's nest organ from 1536 and an alabaster treasure from the 15th century.
And to discover the Little Venice of the West from a different angle, there is nothing like a trip in an electric boat along the canals, departing from the pier near the tourist office.
In May, La Ferté-Bernard hosts the Artec festival, a famous festival of Arts and Technologies that includes robot tournaments.
