Daon: Hiking, River and Cultural Heritage

Daon offers several different ways to shape your stay: riverside activities along the Mayenne, Land Art at Parc Art Daon, and historic heritage at the church, calvaire and châteaux. There are also routes to explore, including the towpath along the Mayenne and a section of the Vélo Francette. When choosing a hotel, you can first consider whether you want to focus your stay on activity, the water, or culture and architectural history.

Along the Mayenne

There is a picnic area in a peaceful setting along the Mayenne in Daon. It is open seasonally. Riverside activities include stand-up paddleboarding, boat trips, pedal boats, and canoeing or kayaking. Check seasonal availability and the relevant operators before your trip. The options range from getting out on the water under your own steam to trips by tour boat or pedal boat; the picnic area offers a quieter alternative.

Hiking and nature

The towpath along the Mayenne is 85 kilometres long and is a safe walking route for all non-motorised walkers. Information boards along the way cover the history of river navigation, architectural heritage, and fauna and flora. This means you can explore historical, architectural or nature-related topics as you walk, depending on your interests. Check local conditions before setting out.

Land Art at Parc Art Daon

The Parcours Santé connects Parc Art Daon with the riverside area. It is freely accessible and free of charge; check local conditions before your trip. Parc Art Daon showcases Land Art works made from reused objects and natural materials. They were inspired by Christine David de Vinzelles, an artist and resident of Daon. The combination of materials offers a different perspective from the architectural history of the historic sites.

Church, calvaire and châteaux

The nave of Saint-Germain Church in Daon contains a wooden Christ dating from the 16th or 17th century. It is thought to have come from a former rood-screen beam. A rood screen separates the nave from the choir; the beam therefore formed part of an earlier architectural division of the church interior. The calvaire near the cemetery on the D 22 was made by French foundryman Antoine Durenne.

Daon has more châteaux than any other commune in the Pays de Château-Gontier; around ten are spread across the commune. Château de l'Escoublère is a fortified manor house dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, set behind deep moats. The year 1570 is engraved on the Renaissance fountain at Château de l'Escoublère. The manor house dates back across two centuries, while the fountain’s engraving records a single year. The 16th-century Château de Mortreux is a short distance from Château de l'Escoublère.

Routes with different focuses

The Circuit des Châteaux circular route in Daon gives you the chance to discover Château des Lutz. The Mayenne section of the Vélo Francette runs from Ambrières-les-Vallées to Daon. The first route focuses on a château, while the second follows a route to Daon.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Denis-D'anjou, Saint-Quentin-Les-Anges, Peuton, Placé, Chemazé, Laval, Lesbois, Sainte-Gemmes-Le-Robert

For the broader travel overview: Mayenne.