Located in the west of France, near the Loire Valley, the departement of Mayenne is named after the picturesque river that flows through the region. The area has always been popular with those who enjoy outdoor pursuits, such as walking and cycling, while there are also several equestrian centres throughout Mayenne, if you want to try a different way of seeing the scenery. The Mayenne River itself is another more unusual way to explore the area, by canoeing along the gentle water, or you could relax even more by sunbathing and swimming from its banks. There are lots of interesting historical and geological sites in the region to explore too, should you get tired of all this beautiful scenery.
The beautiful and historical town of Sainte-Suzanne is one of the most visited places in the Mayenne area. The cobbled medieval streets and ancient buildings are always packed with tourists in the summer months, when you can also enjoy evening concerts in the main square and churches, or even take a traditional horse and cart ride through the town. The local tourist office organises guided tours of Sainte-Suzanne, some in English, to point out some of the more interesting architectural features of the town and to tell the history of this fascinating community and all its legends. There is a Medieval Festival held annually, when there are theatrical and musical performances in the streets, workshops in traditional arts and crafts at the local museum and you can even watch re-enactments of some of the famous battles that took place in this part of France centuries ago.
The caves and canyons of Saulges are worth a visit, even if you don't consider yourself much of an outdoors person. While you can go off the beaten track and explore steeper climbing trails, there are also easier paths to follow that mean you get to see the most impressive aspects of this area. In the canyons, there are hiking trails, or you can go canoeing through the steep gorge, but the main attraction is definitely the caves. There are several caves within the underground complex and all were once homes to prehistoric man. There are displays of some of the artefacts that have been found in the caves in the small museum on the site. As well as impressive geological formations, the caves are also home to a number of legends, mainly regarding one which is supposedly guarded by a witch!
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Mayenne? Then below is a selection of gites in Mayenne and villas in Mayenne that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
