The various rivers, Mayenne, Sarthe and Oudon, offer more than 300km of navigation. Here you have the opportunity to cruise through wooded landscapes and explore towns such as Laval, with its castle that towers above the river, or Angers, the town of the powerful King René from the 15th century. You can also visit Le Mans, known for car racing, Solesmes and its Beddictine Abbey, or Sablé, where you can savour its delicious shortbread cookies.
The river Sarthe joins the river Mayenne near Angers. A visit to the Abbey of Solemes is a must, as is Malicorne-sur-Sarthe, which is known for its china, and no one can miss Le Mans, of course.
Informations
Navigation on the Mayenne
A wild river of over 124km, the Mayenne will delight all those who search adventure and those who love nature. You can meander along this calm, roaming, green river and enjoy the passing scenery.
Got a question about the area? Ask the lock keepers, it’s their stories and knowledge which will bring the Mayenne to life for you. They’ll be more than happy to help and advise you.
If the lockkeeper isn’t there… you’ll have to open the lock yourselves! Don’t worry, this is a rather simple operation that you can achieve by working calmly with the help of your crew or people along the towpath. And it will be an excellent memory of your cruise!
Navigation on the Oudon
While flowing over 80km, the River Oudon is however only navigable from Port Segréto to Mayenne, a length of about 18km which possesses 3 locks.
This makes it one of the smallest, navigable rivers in France. We also recommend stoking up on supplies such as food and water, as there is no access to provisions from Segré to the Lion of Angers. .
Indeed, the River Oudon will take you into a wild landscape, in the middle of nature…
Navigation on the Sarthe
132km long, the Sarthe is a broad river which flows through a green countryside. Quiet, this river is punctuated by beautiful, flowered locks which are operated by hand by the local lock keepers who live there. These lock keepers will be able to advise you on the best activities and sights in the regions. On this river you will come across small accessible villages, castles, churches… This tranquil river will astonish you with its hidden treasures.
Photos
Videos
Canalousmayenne
Tourist attractions
- The castle of Plessis-Mace, near Pruille
- The town of Lion d’Angers
- The abbey of Port-Salut, in Entrammes
- The “Domaine de la Petite Couere”, near Segre (a reconstitution of a village from the beginning of the 20th century)
- The tow path along the Mayenne river from Daon to Angers
- The flowers by the locks
- Laval : its old town, its viaduct, its “wash-house” boat
- Angers, its gardens, and leisure park Terra Botanica
Routes
Suggestions of routes from La Suze sur Sarthe
One Week :
LA SUZE-SUR-SARTHE / MALICORNE / SOLESMES / SABLE-SUR-SARTHE / MORANNES / CHATEAUNEUF-SUR-SARTHE / LA SUZE-SUR-SARTHE 204 Km 38 locks 32 hours
One Week one way :
LA SUZE-SUR-SARTHE / MALICORNE / SOLESMES / SABLE-SUR-SARTHE / MORANNES / CHATEAUNEUF-SUR-SARTHE / ANGERS / GREZ-NEUVILLE / CHENILLE-CHANGE 163 Km 26 locks 25 hours
Two weeks:
LA SUZE-SUR-SARTHE / MALICORNE / SOLESMES / SABLE-SUR-SARTHE / MORANNES / CHATEAUNEUF-SUR-SARTHE / ANGERS / GREZ-NEUVILLE / CHENILLE-CHANGE / LA SUZE-SUR-SARTHE 326 Km 52 locks 50 hours
