Mayenne is one of the least well-known departments in France, and it is precisely this lack of attention that gives it its charm. Nestled between the bocage of Maine and the forests of Normandy, this land of hills and rivers preserves an authentic heritage of castles, largely off the beaten track and often still inhabited by families who have lived there for centuries.
Laval, whose medieval castle houses the Museum of Naïve Art and Singular Arts, is the department’s capital. Sainte-Suzanne, a medieval town perched on a rock above the River Erve, is one of the most beautiful villages in France, with its fortress that withstood William the Conqueror. Lassay-les-Châteaux, Couptrain, Montecler… The châteaux of the Mayenne are often small in size but of great architectural richness, reflecting a local aristocracy that has managed to preserve its heritage away from the main tourist routes.
The River Mayenne, navigable for 122 kilometres, offers an exceptional waterway for exploring this region at a leisurely pace, passing through locks and past castles reflected in its calm waters.