Sarthe, Department in Pays de la Loire, France
Sarthe is an administrative territory in Pays de la Loire in western France, crossed by waterways and large forests between rural settlements. The river of the same name flows through the area and connects smaller communities with the capital Le Mans.
This territory emerged during the French Revolution in 1790 from parts of the former province of Maine. Le Mans was designated as the administrative center at that time and has retained this function ever since.
The river gave this administrative territory its name and continues to shape the appearance of many towns along its banks. Local markets in smaller communities display regional specialties such as rillettes and wines from the hills around Jasnières.
Several rail connections run through this territory and link remote communities to larger towns. Motorways run in a north-south direction and make access to rural regions in the south easier.
The racing circuit in Le Mans uses a section of public roads outside event days and remains open to regular traffic. Visitors can drive parts of the track and experience corners that otherwise only race drivers see.
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