Travel Guide La Ferté-Bernard

The "capital" of the Pays du Perche Sarthois is a small town of art and tradition of about 8,000 inhabitants, nestled in the heart of the valleys of the Perche. Bordered by two rivers, the Huisne and the Même, and crossed by canals, it is nicknamed the "Venice of the West" by its residents. As for its true etymology, it refers to the Latin Firmitas, fortress, concerning Ferté, and for Bernard, to the surname of the first lords of this 11th century fief. La Ferté-Bernard experienced its hours of glory and an important development at the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th century. Its half-timbered houses and old courtyards, the remains of the castle, the former Saint-Lyphard chapel, the church Notre-Dame-des-Marais, the Saint-Julien gate and the Denis Béalet covered market still bear witness to this development. This charming and peaceful city offers a lively town centre full of shops, inns and good restaurants. Rich in cultural and sports infrastructures, it is attractive for the entire surrounding region. Electric boats are launched every summer to allow visitors to discover the city through its canals. In addition, there is a small tourist train and cultural and festive events. This is the case on Thursdays in the summer with cinema and open-air shows, festy family, circus evenings, swimming pool evenings, etc. During the summer season, La Ferté-Bernard is at the centre of the important cultural programme of the Pays d'art et d'histoire du Perche Sarthois.