Ménil: Trails, Ferry and Mill History
Accommodation in Ménil
In Ménil, the Mayenne, riverside trails and historic mills offer different ways to shape your stay. When looking for a hotel, it helps to consider whether you mainly want to hike, cycle or explore the history of the river. The ferry and leisure centre add a crossing and activities on and by the water to the options available.
River and Ferry
The Bac de Ménil is the last hand-operated ferry in the Mayenne department and connects Ménil, Daon and Coudray. Check its current operating status before your trip. Crossing conditions may also matter when planning the Halage et Contre-Halage circular trail; the ferry may operate seasonally.
Circular Trails Along the Mayenne
The Halage et Contre-Halage circular trail starts in Ménil and forms a 13.0-kilometre loop. It is rated moderate on foot and easy by mountain bike. These ratings apply to different ways of getting around. The trail follows the Mayenne, along one of the few stretches of river where walks are possible on both banks.
The Circuit de La Bougraie in Ménil is 10.5 kilometres long and takes approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. It runs along the river and along the towpath. The Circuit de la Rivière also follows the towpath along the Mayenne and takes in the landscape of southern Mayenne. This means you can choose between route descriptions with different details: Halage et Contre-Halage has ratings for walking and mountain biking, while the Bougraie has an approximate duration.
By the River and on the Water
The Base de loisirs de Ménil leisure centre is located on the banks of the Mayenne in a green setting south of Château-Gontier. From there, you can explore the river and its towpath by land or by water. The Base de loisirs – Camping du Bac Ménil rents out canoes, pedal boats and VTC bikes. The options differ in how you get around: canoes and pedal boats take you onto the water, while VTC bikes offer a way to explore by land. Rental availability depends on the operator; check before your trip.
Mills and Cultural History
The Château de Magnanne in Ménil is classified as a historic monument. The mills offer further insight into the history of the area: former mills served different purposes, including grinding grain into flour, tanning leather and fulling textiles.
Most of the mills are privately owned. You can view them from walking trails along the Mayenne; information panels tell their story. The river trails thus offer a closer look at past work and uses: mills were not only places where grain was ground, but also played a role in leather and textile processing. For a stay in Ménil, these historic traces complement the circular trails and river activities with a cultural focus.
Discover more destinations: Fougerolles-Du-Plessis, Hardanges, Aron, Saint-Germain-Le-Fouilloux, Beaulieu-Sur-Oudon, Saint-Aignan-Sur-Roë, Brécé, Quelaines.
For the main travel overview: Mayenne.
