La Ferté-Bernard owes its origin and name to a stronghold (fermeté) built about the 11th century and afterwards held by the family of Bernard.

It belonged in the 16th century to the family of Guise and supported the League, but was captured by the royal forces in 1590.

[3] La Ferté-Bernard was involved in the 1906 Grand Prix de l'Automobile Club de France, the world's first motoring Grand Prix.

The D97 towards Le Mans and the D1 towards Vibraye and Saint-Calais formed two sides of the triangular course.

La Ferte-Bernard is connected with a mythical dragon called the Peluda, which is said to have terrorized the town in medieval times.