Sarthe Campsite Offers Free Stays for Women Fighting Cancer

A camping establishment in the Sarthe region of France has joined a national solidarity network to provide free temporary accommodation for women undergoing cancer treatment, aiming to offer psychological respite and a break from the clinical environment.

Le Septentrion, a campsite located in Brûlon, has integrated into the Hébergeuses Solidaires (Solidarity Hosts) network. According to reporting from France Bleu, and Actu.fr, the establishment is the first of its kind in Sarthe to join the initiative, which focuses on providing temporary stays for women in the process of cancer care.

The Hébergeuses Solidaires Network

The initiative began following a meeting between two tourist hosts, Lucile and Maïté, who connected via Instagram. Maïté was already offering her gîtes to women battling cancer, and Lucile, who was herself undergoing care, was offered a night of rest in Lucile’s guest rooms. This interaction led to the creation of a broader movement to mobilize other hospitality professionals.

The network officially launched its first call for participants on October 7, 2024, and established a dedicated website on January 25, 2025. Since its inception, the network has grown to include more than 230 solidarity accommodations across France, ranging from hotels and guest houses to gîtes and unusual lodgings.

Participating establishments commit to offering a dedicated service at least once a year. These offers can vary by location, including:

• Completely free nights or stays.
• Discounted rates for residents.
• Complementary services provided during the stay.

Specific Support at Le Septentrion

Le Septentrion became a member of the network at the end of January 2026. The campsite’s manager, Jérôme Tirmarche, decided to offer stays entirely free of charge to ensure that patients do not have to worry about the financial aspects of their respite.

The current offer provides free mobil-homes for stays of up to five days. These stays are available between April 1 and September 30, 2026, though they are not available during school holidays or during events held at the Le Mans circuit.

J’ai découvert les Hébergeuses Solidaires par hasard, lors d’un reportage radio. Ça m’a touché. Sachant que j’ai des périodes où mes mobil-homes ne sont pas remplis, ça serait dommage de ne pas en faire profiter

Jérôme Tirmarche, manager of Le Septentrion

Access and Wellness Objectives

To maintain a secure and organized process, the network utilizes relay establishments. These relays may include medical professionals or associations within the healthcare sector. These entities are provided with a specific code, which they then transmit to their patients.

Once a patient receives the code, they can book a stay with a participating member of the network. This system ensures that the support reaches those currently navigating the complexities of cancer treatment.

The primary health and wellness objective of these stays is to allow women to se ressourcer (recharge) and change their surroundings. By stepping outside of their homes and the medical system, patients are given an opportunity for mental relaxation and a temporary escape from the rigors of their care pathways.

The association continues to seek new tourism professionals in the Sarthe region and beyond to expand the network and increase the number of available stays for women affected by cancer.