Some ideas for summer in Mayenne......

River tourism, or an adventure at a gentle pace 

In less than an hour you will have been told you all you need to know about steering your boat, for which no licence is needed , and you can set off at your own pace for a few days of peaceful cruising. The Mayenne will share with you the secrets of its valley. You can enjoy a river cruise in a completely natural setting, with every now and then a stopover at a lock, or at a little restaurant by the river, or in one of the towns or villages that you pass through. It’s a real treat to sail through Laval, a Town of Art and History, passing below the foot of the castle and beneath the Old Bridge!

You won’t be bored aboard!
You'll be cruising at an average speed of 6 kilometres an hour, which will allow you to discover sites and countryside that you could never have seen any other way.
You'll meet riverbank animals and discover a wide range of aquatic flora.
On board, life is centered around cruising, preparing meals, taking photos, playing games and reading on deck or simply lazing around.
Fancy stretching your legs? Just unload the bikes for a spin along the towpath. See you at the next lock! It’s perfect too for your daily jog.

Steering is simple
The River Mayenne is well know for being calm and used only by pleasure boats. As you go through the locks, the lock-keepers are ready to help and to give you tips about interesting little places to explore. The boat can be managed with just two controls: a throttle with two positions (forward and reverse, which also acts as a brake), a helm to steer the boat, and that’s it! And don’t forget, you don’t need a licence!

The boat, your home on the river
Depending on size, the boats can sleep from 2 to 12 people.
They are all very comfortably furnished and offer all mod cons to make your trip enjoyable. The cabins often have their own toilet facilities. The forward saloon and the galley are big enough for you to enjoy your meals together.
For summer cruises, make sure you reserve your houseboat early enough to take advantage of special prices.
All the way along the Mayenne, river stopovers, landing stages, refueling points and other public facilities are available.

The River Guide to the Pays de la Loire
Before setting off, arm yourself with the River Guide to the Pays de la Loire ( guide fluvial des Pays de la Loire) published by Éditions du Breil. This 92-page guide tells you all about the rivers Sarthe, Mayenne, Oudon, Maine and the Loire between Nantes and Angers (Maps, helpful information, etc...)

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With this new advantage card you can gain reduced rate entry to a huge amount of interesting places to visit throughout Mayenne. 

See the Mayenne-Tourisme website for a full list of places to visit, and to apply for your free May'n'pass Card.

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