North of the Pays de la Loire, close to Normandy, is Mayenne, the second biggest town after Laval  in the Mayenne  department.

The town is located on the banks on the River Mayenne . The old towpaths are ideal for cycling, Mayenne is even on the Vélo Francette cycling route linking Normandy to La Rochelle.

Its impressive Château was built on the remains of a carolingian edifice in the 11th century. The remaining building is one of the most well preserved Middle Ages buildings of Europe. It used to be a prison and houses a museum since 2008, where you can see a unique collection of game pieces made from bones.

The Calvairiennes chapel is all that remains from a former convent of the Benedictine nuns of Calvary, it now houses a contemporary art exhibition centre.

> Mayenne Tourist office