Discover Laval: Gardens, History and Museums

The city offers different ways to explore these interests. Those who enjoy looking at historical details will find different highlights from visitors who want to include digital cultural experiences, art or a botanical garden.

A garden landscape along the Mayenne

The Jardin de la Perrine sits on a rocky promontory overlooking the Mayenne valley. At the northern end of the rose garden, the imposing keep of the Vieux Château forms the foreground of the landscape. The garden and building appear together here: the view across the valley is combined with a striking historic feature.

The Jardin de la Perrine is a botanical garden with children's play areas, animals and ponds. Its rose garden was established in 1920 and includes around one hundred varieties of roses. Individual facilities may change; check in advance if you wish to visit a particular area. In the heart of the garden is also a museum area featuring the Espace Alain Gerbault. It commemorates the sailor from Laval who, from 1923 to 1929, was the first person to sail solo around the world.

Medieval buildings and architecture

The Porte Beucheresse is the only surviving fortified entrance to the medieval town of Laval. Its two semicircular towers and narrow passage illustrate the development of medieval military architecture. In the past, the passage was protected by a portcullis and a double-leaf wooden gate. The architectural details make its former defensive function easy to understand without confusing it with features from other periods.

The Vieux Château was built in the 11th century as a fortress along an old road that crossed the Mayenne. Visitors wishing to explore the building in different ways can choose a virtual tour, climb the main tower or take part in an underground “Spéléo-Visite.” As visiting hours may change, it is advisable to check the schedule for your chosen format in advance.

Religious buildings also reveal several periods. The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de la Trinité was built around 1070 and combines Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Visitors can discover windows and vaults from different periods of renovation, as well as altarpieces, statues, a triptych, funerary monuments, tapestries and organs. Check the current access conditions if you are planning a visit.

The Basilique Notre-Dame d’Avesnières underwent extensive renovations in the first half of the 12th century. Its ambulatory opens onto chapels arranged radially. The nave was rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 15th century; the spire, dating from 1536, is made of yellow Poitou stone. The wall paintings in the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Pritz, dating from the 12th to the 15th century, are exceptionally well preserved. Groups of up to 50 people can visit the chapel by prior reservation.

Museums and cultural discoveries

ZOOM is Laval’s centre for scientific, technical and industrial culture. Its aim is to provide people with information about science and technology. MANAS is dedicated to Naïve and Singular Arts and presents its collections and temporary exhibitions across 1,100 m². It offers adapted tours for people with motor, intellectual, visual and hearing disabilities. If these services are important to your plans, check the visiting arrangements in advance.

At Le Quarante, Micro-Folie offers insights into the collections of twelve partner national museums and virtual reality experiences. Café du Quarante hosts workshops, conferences and small-scale artistic performances; visitors can contribute to the collaborative programme. As the programme may vary, it is worth checking the latest listings before planning to attend a specific event.

Another unusual place is the Bateau-Lavoir Saint-Julien, presented as Europe’s last habitable laundry boat, which visitors can board. Its history includes several clearly dated milestones: in 2009, the boat was saved from sinking, restored as a living museum and relaunched in 2013. Les Bains Douches, by contrast, tell the story of an earlier use: they remained in operation until 2002. The richly decorated Art Deco interior was created by mosaic artist Isidore Odorico fils; the premises include 16 shower cubicles and six bath cubicles.

Dairy culture and routes along the Mayenne

La Cité du Lait is a museum in Laval that explores milk from cultural, heritage, industrial and gastronomic perspectives. Tours, engaging events, educational workshops, and cultural and culinary events celebrate the heritage of milk. If you are planning to attend a specific event, check the dates and current programme.

The cycling route also has a practical consideration: the towpath along the Mayenne used by La Vélo Francette is unpaved. The tourist office therefore recommends a trekking or mountain bike rather than a city or road bike. Check the surface conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Neuilly-Le-Vendin, Ballots, Saint-Laurent-des-Mortiers, Ruillé-Froid-Fonds, Meslay-Du-Maine, Saint-Samson, Landivy, Chammes

For the main travel overview: Mayenne.