Rough Shooting - Le Mans

Stay in a beautiful chateau and enjoy some fantastic rough shooting

Hunting in France is enjoying a growing reputation amongst many of our hunters.

We have nearly only just returned home from a research trip to France where we discovered a real little pearl close to the legendary Le Mans racecourse. 

The hunt takes place on a classic French chateau, which has been owned by the same family for generations. The estate lies in beautiful surroundings a little north of the Loire valley a few km from Le Mans, which is known around the world for its classic 24 hour motor race. 

For decades the estate has organised classic driven pheasant shoots,  but over the last few years it has also started to organise classical walk-up rough shooting, primarily for pheasants, but also for ducks, pigeon, a few rabbits, occasional geese etc. Both the Count and his son, together with their very professional gamekeepers, take care of the hunting and ensure their guests enjoy an unforgettable stay in the wonderful surroundings. You will stay either in the chateau itself, or an earlier manor house, which also lies on the estate.

Travel to the estate is easy. You can either fly to Orly from where it is only a 1½-2 hours drive, or you can fly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport, from where you can take a train to Le Mans, the estate will then meet you at the station and transfer you to the hunting district.

The shooting is carried out in the traditional manner, walking-up together with the gamekeeper and 2-3 dogs, it is an ideal type of hunt for small groups of hunters, between 6-10 people in size. Occasionally small drives are organised during these rough shoots. If you are a group of less than 6 people, it is often possible to join together with another group.

The beats offer traditional shooting for high-flying birds in relatively hilly terrain; which allows one to to take advantage of the differences in altitude to present some birds that give really challenging shooting.

The Count’s son, Alban, works at Le Mans, making it possible to stay a day extra and visit the world famous race course, you can even get permission to drive a couple of laps on this legendary circuit.