Discover Mayenne: river, cycling routes and history

Mayenne offers a range of reasons to plan a trip: short excursions on the river, cycling routes in the département and cultural sites with clearly distinct historical themes. If you are looking for a hotel in Mayenne, first consider which of these themes will shape your trip. This will help you tailor your search to your own plans.

By the river and along the towpath

Short trips on the Mayenne River are possible in small barges or electric boats. The specific boat options may change, so check the latest visitor information before your trip. Along an 85-kilometre stretch of river between Mayenne and Daon are 37 locks. The river is classified as an espace naturel sensible (sensitive natural area) and is managed and studied by the département.

The towpath also offers several ways to experience the river landscape: it is suitable for walking, horse riding and cycling. Those interested in a cycling tour will find routes of varying lengths and types in the département. The Vélo Francette passes through Mayenne, Laval and Château-Gontier-sur-Mayenne. Its route through the département covers 105 kilometres, of which 85 kilometres are along the towpath.

Cycling routes of varying distances

A shorter point of comparison is the 53-kilometre Mayenne–Laval loop. It is considered very easy and safe, and runs mostly along greenways and cycle paths. The Vélo Francette, by contrast, covers 105 kilometres in the département. These figures help you put the length of each route into the context of your own trip planning without treating the routes as equivalent.

The cycling network also includes 130 kilometres of converted former railway lines, now used as greenways. The network connects the Véloscénie, Vélo Francette and Régalante cycling routes. This gives you a choice of a named loop, longer routes and connections between different cycle paths.

Castles and archaeological sites

Mayenne Castle is considered an exceptional palace dating from the Carolingian period and was built shortly before the year 1000. Excavations brought to light around a hundred medieval gaming pieces dating from the 10th to the 12th centuries. The Musée du château de Mayenne is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. If this information is important for your plans, check the current conditions before your visit.

The castle at Sainte-Suzanne also combines architectural history with a striking setting: it stands on a rocky spur above the Erve Valley. In 1087, it resisted William the Conqueror. The site is therefore especially suited to travellers who want to consider historical events alongside the castle’s location.

The Saulges cave valley comprises 22 caves and is considered a major prehistoric site for the study of the earliest settlements in western France. Jublains offers a different archaeological focus: its département museum displays collections from Mayenne dating from the Bronze Age to the Early Middle Ages, and presents its exhibits in relation to the archaeological remains of Noviodunum. The ancient town at Jublains became known as Noviodunum and covered around 25 hectares. It included a sanctuary, a forum, baths and a theatre.

In Cossé-le-Vivien, the Robert Tatin Museum is built around Robert Tatin’s home. Notable features include the Allée des Géants, lined with 19 monumental statues made of painted cement. This museum visit offers a distinct experience alongside the region’s castles and archaeological sites.

Landscape and local produce

The landscape of Mont des Avaloirs in the Normandy-Maine Regional Natural Park includes woodland, heathland and bocage. If you would like to include local producers in your trip alongside cycling routes and cultural sites, you could plan a visit to cider producers in Mayenne.

The river and cycling routes, castles, archaeological sites and landscape offer different focal points for a stay.

Discover more destinations: Château-Gontier, Daon, Neuilly-Le-Vendin, Gesvres, Oisseau, Saint-Loup-Du-Dorat, Saint-Mars-Sur-Colmont, Villiers-Charlemagne, Andouillé, Aron, Azé, Carelles, Chammes, Désertines, La Baconnière, Quelaines, Châtillon-Sur-Colmont, Bouère, Villaines-La-Juhel, Vaiges, Saulges, Mayenne, Erbrée, Saint-Quentin-Les-Anges, Longuefuye, Le Ham, Montigné-Le-Brillant, Laval, Beaulieu-Sur-Oudon, Préaux, Moulay, Saint-Pierre-Des-Nids, Évron, Saint-Mars-Sur-La-Futaie, Hambers, Ambrières-Les-Vallées, Sainte-Suzanne, Placé, Congrier, Craon, Montaudin, Fougerolles-Du-Plessis, Larchamp, Gorron, Brécé, Saint-Denis-De-Gastines, Neau, Saint-Denis-D'anjou, Nuillé-Sur-Vicoin, Louverné, Saint-Aignan-Sur-Roë, Saint-Germain-Le-Fouilloux, Bazougers, Méral, Bais, Pré-En-Pail, Montsûrs, Saint-Georges-Buttavent, Sainte-Gemmes-Le-Robert, Montjean, Saint-Saturnin-Du-Limet, Coudray, Trans, Lignières-Orgères, Saint-Germain-De-Coulamer, Champfrémont, Ballots, Saint-Pierre-Sur-Orthe, Meslay-Du-Maine, Hercé, Blandouet, Brains-Sur-Les-Marches, Renazé, Pontmain, Loigné-Sur-Mayenne, Changé, Port-Brillet, Cossé-Le-Vivien, Landivy, Ernée, Torcé-Viviers-En-Charnie, Bonchamp-Lès-Laval, Juvigné, Ménil, Saint-Ellier-du-Maine, Bouchamps-lès-Craon, Saint-Georges-sur-Erve, Saint-Calais-du-Désert, Chemazé, Saint-Laurent-des-Mortiers, Saint-Samson, Couesmes-Vaucé, Hardanges, Saint-Thomas-de-Courceriers, Villepail, Mézangers, Peuton, Lassay-les-Châteaux, Cossé-en-Champagne, Levaré, La Rouaudière, Izé, Ruillé-Froid-Fonds, Contest, Lesbois, Saint-Germain-le-Guillaume, Montenay, Montourtier.

For the wider travel overview: Pays De La Loire.