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Mayenne is a lovely town which sits astride the River Mayenne in the north of the Mayenne department. It is situated (from east to west) between Le Mans and Rennes, south of Caen and north of Angers. Its first distinguishing feature, is that it is the only town in France which has the same name as the river and the department! As you can imagine, this sometimes causes people a fair amount of confusion...
The town is known for its castle, its museum, and the surrounding area for its textiles, cider, agriculture, its local dialect and its English speaking community.
Mayenne town itself has two distinct parts. To the west of the River Mayenne, the Notre-Dame area, is named after the impressive basilica, and to the east of the river, Saint-Martin, is named after the church. From a tourist’s point of view, the river was a bit unfair when it split up the town, because Notre-Dame got the better deal – the basilica itself, the castle and most of the interesting shops. However, many locals prefer the St-Martin side of the river, perhaps because the station, sports stadium, exhibition hall and a number of large retail shopping zones are situated there.
St-Martin suffered from heavy bombing at the end of the German occupation during World War 2, consequently the buildings have slightly less character than those on the opposite bank.
The castle is Mayenne’s main must-visit attraction. The restoration which had been in progress for as long as most inhabitants can remember has finally been completed, and the long-awaited museum opened in May 2008, which was well worth waiting for!
The museum is an excellent but modern-style attraction which fits perfectly within the medieval castle. The majority of the information is translated into English, and the lifts make the whole building accessible for those with limited mobility. A visit here is highly recommended. Allow at least an hour to have a good look round. Even if you can manage the stairs, don’t miss a trip in the lift with its panoramic view of the river.
Mayenne tourist office is set on stilts on the St-Martin bank of the river (halte fluviale), and below it you can hire bikes and motor-boats in season. If you visit Mayenne on a sunny day, find time for a stroll along the river. The towpath starts here, and goes all the way to Laval (some 30 km south) and beyond.
For the most attractive walk with the least amount of effort, we recommend driving towards Laval, past the hypermarket. Turn right at the Campanile hotel, and follow the road down and to the left, at the Beau Rivage hotel. If you start walking from here and follow the towpath downstream away from the town, you will enjoy beautiful countryside views during your peaceful stroll. (The part of the towpath
between Mayenne town and this point is less pretty.) Along the towpath there are old lock-keepers cottages, some of which have been turned into little shops. During the summer months, the locks are manned, mainly by students.
If the weather’s not so clever, in town, you’ll find a good selection of bars, cafes and restaurants to enjoy and shops to have a browse in. There are the usual retail chain stores that are typically found in most French towns, as well as a number of interesting shops and smart, chic boutiques. The Depot Vente, on the riverbank, below the castle is also worth a look for bric a brac and unusual items as well as furniture. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the beautiful selection of pastries and home-made chocolates available in the shops.
A superb medieval village, set on a hill in the East of Mayenne. It is an 11th century strong hold built on a triangular spur of rock which rises 70 metres above the course of the River Erve (a tributary of the Sarthe). Its known history can be traced back to William the Conqueror, who beisged the fortress in vain from 1083 to 1087.
William's forces set up an earth encampment 800 metres from Sainte-Suzanne. This fortification, known as the Camp des Anglais or Camp de Beugi is located on the left side of the road to Assé-le-Bérenger.
In 1425, the English set a battery of bombards on Tertre Ganne, the hill to the east, overlooking the Erve, and broke holes in the ramparts of the town. The Count of Salisbury took control of the town and kept it in English possession for another 14 years.
Abbeye de Clermont.
http://www.abbaye-de-clairmont.com/
