River Cruise - Mayenne (Maine)
Mayenne (Maine)
Type : River. This river was once a hive of commercial activity but is now almost exclusively used by pleasure craft. The Mayenne or Maine rises in southern Normandy and travels through beautiful landscapes including steep sided valleys, peaceful woodlands and fields and is dotted with picturesque small towns.
Locks : 133.7 km with 45 locks
Along the way
- 9.0 km - Angers - City with boat harbour in basin in town centre opposite castle. The castle was built in the 13th century and boasts 17 towers and an excellent collection of tapestries.
- 11.2 km - Confluence with the Sarthe.
- 15.5 km - Cantenay-Epinard - Village 0.7km on the right bank. Small shops and restaurant.
- 20.6 km - Juigné-Bènè - Quay. Restaurant and garage. 5.5km north-west is Château at Plessis-Macé; an 11th century castle with guided tours.
- 26.3 km - La Roussière castle in the woodland and quay on the left bank.
- 30.8 km - Grez-Neuvile - Rental Station - Village 0.2km on the right bank. In the town are some beautiful 17th and 18th century houses and a 12th century church.
- 32.7 km - Confluence with the Oudon on left bank.
- 36.8 km - Montreuil-sur-Main - Small hillside village with quay.
- 41.6 km - Chambellay - Village on left bank. Moorings, some shops and a restaurant. By the football field their is a fluvial swimming pool.
- 43.1 km - Chenillé-Changé - Very pleasant village.The mill on the river is picturesque with its crenelations. Two hire centres based here.
- 45.7 km - La Jaille-Yvon - Small village set on the hill on the left bank.
- 49.9 km - Daon - Village with moorings on right bank. It is a centre for watersports including water skiing. Within cycling distance are several châteaux including the 16th century Manoir de l'Escoublère.
- 55.9 km - Ménil - Village with basic shopping and restaurants. Château de Magnanne is open for visitors Tuesdays in high summer.
- 61.6 km - Azé - Mooring pontoon
- 63.2 km - Château-Gontier - Small town with quay and moorings. Large cattle market held on Thursdays. A feature of the medieval centre of the village is the Romanesques church of St. Jean. For garden lovers there is the nearby (19km) village of Craon with two gardens open to the public.
- 67.9 km - Roch-du-Maine lock 32 and picnic area.
- 74.2 km - Moorings
- 74.3 km - Rongère lock 30 with the impressive Château de la Rongère on left bank.
- 75.2 km - La Valette bridge- moorings, picnic area and castle on right bank. Village of Houssay 2km.
- 89.6 km - Entrammes bridge - moorings, village 1.8km on the right bank. Roman remains. Nearby is the Trpist abbey Port du Salut, where the famous Port Salut cheese was first made.
- 99.1 km - Moorings on right bank.
- 99.0 km - Laval - Town with quay and a hire base. Features of Laval include the old and new châteaux, the 16th century houses overhanging the street and the two restored bateaux-lavoirs or laudry barges (one of which houses a museum).
- 102.7 km - Changé - Village on left bank.
- 107.4 km - Saint-Jean-sur-Mayenne - Village on left bank, quay on right bank.
- 116.4 km - Nourrière lock 10 - Castle visible on hillside.
- 119.0 km - Lock 8 - Château Montginoux on left bank.
- 119.2 km - Montginoux bridge - moorings with some services and small grocery shop.
- 120.6 km - La Giraudière - Small village on right bank.
- 126.2 km - Lock 3 at Grenoux - Lock-keeper sells traditional country foods including his own home baked bread.
- 130.3 km - Saint-Baudelle - Village 0.3km on the left bank.
- 133.3 km - Mayenne - Town with quay and moorings. Main feature of the town is the fortified castle from the 11th century.
