Vallis Guidonis 2009 Cp Jc Druais Retouching
©Jc Druais Retouching

The Mayenne Valley

Walking, leisure and relaxation

A valley apart, an invitation to discover

As the gateway to the Vélo Francette, the towpath is also a great way to discover the treasures of the region. With its “guinguettes”, themed cruises and relaxing itinerary, it’s a place where you can recharge your batteries and get back in touch with nature. This green route follows the meandering river, offering walkers and cyclists a unique experience, where every pedal stroke echoes to the soothing rhythm of the water.

Our cruises

aboard the Vallis Guidonis

This summer, take a cruise aboard the Vallis Guidonis!

Set sail on the Mayenne and admire Laval from a whole new angle. Whether it’s lunchtime, a dinner with live music or a wine-tasting cruise, the Vallis Guidonis invites you to enjoy a timeless interlude between local flavours, peaceful landscapes and a heritage that unfolds along the water.

In a warm and friendly atmosphere, each outing becomes a moment apart, where the river reveals all its charm and art of living.

Embark on a unique sensory experience…

Expert Anthony Aulnette from La Cave du Château will guide you through an introduction to oenology and the tasting of three wines*.
To complete the flavour combination, Fromagerie Desrues will offer a selection of three cheeses, chosen to enhance each glass. A cruise with body and bouquet!

Practical info

  • Dates: Fridays 26 June, 31 July and 25 September
  • Times: from 7pm to 8.30pm
  • Single price: €22/person.

* Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health.

A Sunday on the water…

A friendly, gourmet cruise to enjoy with your partner, family or friends. The menu is concocted from Mayenne produce by L’Atelier Traiteur by La Cantine.

— Navigation route: even weeks upstream (towards Changé), odd weeks downstream (towards Entrammes)
downstream (towards Entrammes).

Practical info

  • Dates: Sundays, from 10 May to 20 September (according to schedule)
  • Timetable: from 12.30pm to 3pm
  • Prices: €66/adult – €35/child (under 12s)

Menu

  • Soup Angevine* & seed puff pastries
  • Prawn and lime macaroons, tangy mesclun salad
  • Roast suckling pig with lavender honey, soft carrots and baby vegetables, spicy gravy
  • Roast goat’s cheese on fruit bread toast
  • Red fruit cloud with peach cream sauce
  • 2 glasses of wine*, still and sparkling water, coffee

* Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health.

An enchanted interlude: the gourmet menu from La Cantine’s chef will tantalise your taste buds, the sublime landscapes of the banks of the Mayenne bathed in the setting sun, all enhanced by the melodious accompaniment of a musician.

Practical info

  • Dates: Saturdays 30 May, 27 June, 25 July and 26 September
  • Schedule: 8pm to 10.30pm
  • Prices: €73/adult – €36/child (under 12)

Menu

  • Soup Angevine* & seed puff pastries
  • Prawn and lime macaroons, tangy mesclun salad
  • Roast suckling pig with lavender honey, soft carrots and baby vegetables, spicy gravy
  • Roast goat’s cheese on fruit bread toast
  • Red fruit cloud with peach cream sauce
  • 2 glasses of wine*, still and sparkling water, coffee

* Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health.

Discover a new way to enjoy Sunday in Laval.
Enjoy a brunch cruise that combines gourmet pleasures with river discovery.

Combining heritage, nature and conviviality, this gourmet cruise offers an original way to admire the Mayenne valley, while enjoying a generous brunch
concocted by Atelier Traiteur by La Cantine.

Practical info

  • Dates: Sundays 7 June and 5 July
  • Times: from 11.30am to 1.30pm
  • Single price: €53/pers.

Menu

  • Hot & cold sweet
    mini viennoiseries, brioche, fromage blanc from Mayenne, cookies, cakes, fresh fruit, mini crêpes and waffles, fresh bread
  • Hot & cold savoury
    cold meats, local terrine and rillettes, 3 fresh salads, mature cheeses, chicken and tuna club sandwich, guacamole & crisps, scrambled eggs, grilled sausages and merguèz, seasonal tarts and quiches, potato galettes
  • water, fresh fruit juices, wines*, hot drinks

* Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health.

The Vallis Guidonis takes you on a gentle journey through the Mayenne Valley at a very reasonable price…

The captain will be your guide, telling you all about the history of the river, its flora and fauna, the towpath, how the locks work…

— Itinerary: Saturday downstream towards Entrammes, Sunday upstream towards Changé

Practical information

  • Dates (except 23/24 May, 14 June and 24-30 August) :
    – Saturdays and Sundays, from 17 May to 27 September
    + Wednesdays from 1 July to 23 August
  • Timetable: from 4.30pm to 6pm
  • Admission :
    – full price €12.50
    – reduced rate €10 (children aged 3 to 12, jobseekers and people with disabilities)
    – free for children under 2

The River Mayenne is at the heart of Laval’s thousand-year-old history.

Many of the monuments still lining the river today bear witness to the strong bond forged over time between the city and its waterway.

Join guide Antoine Barré as he takes you on a voyage of discovery of this link and this
and history. And gain a new perspective on Laval’s rich heritage.

Practical info

  • Dates: Fridays 12 June, 10 July and 14 August
  • Schedule: from 4.30pm to 6pm
  • Single ticket price: €15/person

Give the gift of a getaway on the water with our cruise gift cards.
Available at the boutique by Laval Tourisme.

* Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health.
Menus concocted by our partner chef: La Cantine.

The towpath

Completely restored over the years and maintained every year by the département, this old path once used to pull barges has now become a major hiking route in Mayenne.

The 85km of green ribbon running alongside the river, with its many locks and guinguettes, is a great way to discover a natural heritage that is virtually unique in France.

Hikers, walkers and other nature lovers can discover La Mayenne from all angles: history, heritage, fauna, flora, nature, locks.

From Laval and the river stop, choose the bike that’s right for you (electric-assist, traditional, Gravel) and its equipment (children’s trailer, follower bike, panniers) and create your own adventure!

The River Stop

Your starting point for unforgettable leisure activities!

Located in the very heart of the city of Laval in the Square de Boston, just 5 minutes from the historic centre, the Halte Fluviale de Laval invites you to enjoy the pleasures of being close to nature and offers you a foretaste of your holidays.

The Halte Fluviale not only welcomes walkers and river tourists, but also hires out electric or motor boats without a licence, pedalos and bicycles with or without a baby trailer, as well as all-terrain scooters.

  • Open from April to August

Why not make the most of everything?

Leisure activities for everyone, on land and on water, to explore, relax and have fun.

Guide du Halage

A goldmine of information on this emblematic route