A Hidden Retreat on the Brittany Border
Approached along a private country track that leads to nowhere but here, this remarkable little property sits in a world entirely its own. Nestled in the gentle, rolling countryside of Mayenne — right on the border of Brittany — it enjoys a seclusion that is genuinely difficult to find at any price, let alone at forty-three thousand euros. Open fields stretch in every direction, there are no overlooking neighbours, and the only sounds are those nature provides. Unoccupied for around five years, the property is in need of substantial clearing and restoration, but for the buyer with vision and energy, it represents one of those rare chances to build something truly personal from the ground up. A leisure retreat, a private fishing haven, a slow-life escape — the canvas is blank and the location is beautiful.
The Lake — Spring-Fed and Full of Potential
At the heart of this property is a carp lake of approximately 0.84 acres — a meaningful body of water fed by a natural spring, with depths ranging from 0.75 metres in the shallows up to 2.75 metres in the deeper zones. The lake was previously de-silted in 2006 and features stone-lined banks with full perimeter access, a sluice system, and a dedicated fish breeding area. It was historically stocked with both common and mirror carp, though current stock levels are unknown following the period of inactivity. At present, the lake is overfull due to a diverted stream feeding directly into it, and accessing the banks requires wellington boots in places — but these are challenges well within reach of a motivated buyer. Restore the water management, reclaim the banks, and restock with carp, and this lake could fish beautifully once again.
The Mobile Home and Land
Positioned near the entrance to the property, a previously renovated mobile home offers an immediate on-site base for restoration works. The layout includes an open-plan living room and corner kitchen of around fourteen square metres, a bedroom with built-in storage, and a shower room with space for a chemical toilet. Laminate flooring runs throughout, and there is a gas cooker, a well water supply, and solar panels already installed — albeit unused for several years and in need of a full service check. The total plot extends to 5,850 square metres, with parts currently overgrown and some fallen trees to manage. Rather than viewing this as a drawback, think of it as the freedom to reshape the landscape entirely to your own design — clearing lines of sight to the lake, creating swims, planting screening, and crafting a property that feels entirely handmade.
The Region — Between Mayenne and Brittany
This corner of France is one of its most quietly rewarding. The Mayenne department sits within the Pays de la Loire region, but its border with Brittany means the landscape here carries the character of both — bocage hedgerows, granite farm buildings, ancient lanes, and a deeply rural pace of life. The property sits approximately two kilometres from a village with a bar-tabac and everyday essentials, while the historic town of Fougères — home to one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in Europe — is just sixteen kilometres away. It is the kind of location that rewards those who truly want to escape, while still keeping the conveniences of real French life within comfortable reach. For the keen angler, the nature lover, or the buyer dreaming of a private French retreat with long-term leisure or rental potential, this is a setting that will not disappoint.










Getting There
Nearest Train Station: Vitré, approximately 30 km to the south-west, with direct TGV connections to Paris Montparnasse in under two hours. Fougères (16 km) has local bus links, though a car is essential for this rural location.
Nearest Airport: Rennes–Saint-Jacques Airport (Aéroport de Rennes), approximately 60 km to the west, offering domestic and international connections including services to the UK. Nantes Atlantique Airport is approximately 130 km to the south and provides a broader range of international routes.
Interested in this property? View the full listing and contact the agent at Lakes France.