Laval / Château-Gontier
The start of this stage affords fine views of the town of Laval and its two châteaux. The nine-arched railway viaduct here also has a footbridge open to cyclists, and links the Mayenne River’s east bank to Laval’s town centre and its river port. South of Laval, admire the well-known Abbaye du Port Salut (historically connected with popular Port-Salut cheese) before discovering more of the natural beauty of the Mayenne River.
Gradients and elevation
Slope breakdown
Road types
- Cycle path
- Routes reserved for cyclists and pedestrians (greenways, cycle tracks, towpaths), separated from cars for maximum safety.
- Shared road
- Quiet minor roads with little traffic (unless otherwise stated in the stage details). Shared with cars (stay alert).
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
- Provisional
- Section on a road or cycle path awaiting better-quality facilities (see stage details).
Surface
- Smooth
- Asphalt, tarmac or smooth concrete. Optimal comfort.
- Rough
- Fine gravel, compacted stabilised surface or worn tarmac. Less comfortable, vibrations possible.
- Natural
- Dirt, grass, roots or stones. Under 5%: short sections with little impact. Higher percentage: route suited to mountain or gravel bikes only.
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
Cycle route
At Laval, there is an interconnection with the greenway St-Berthevin > Renazé, but note that it is not well signposted from the route.
There are two shortish stretches (one of 700m, the other of 2.5 km) on roads before you arrive at Château-Gontier. The cycle route through that town is very well laid out.
In general, follow the signs indicating the Chemin de halage de la Mayenne.
Tourist Offices
Anjou Bleu Tourist Office – (Lion d’Angers branchy)
SNCF train services
Laval train station: TGV high-speed services and TER regional services on line 22, Le Mans > Laval > Rennes
www.ter.sncf.com/pays-de-la-loire
Buses
Line N°28 Nantes > Laval
Line N°29 Angers > Laval
Contact TER: +33 (0) 810 324 324
Bikes are allowed in the hold if there is room. The Perrin bus company decides on an individual basis, so try checking in advance: +33 (0)2 99 47 42 42.
Line 1 Laval > Château-Gontier > Angers
Central contact number for transport and mobility questions: +33 (0)2 43 66 53 33 or Kéolis : +33 (0)2 43 67 08 15
Don’t miss
Laval: the castle and its Musée d’Art Naïf, +33 (0)2 43 53 39 89; the Lactopole André Besnier (a museum on milk production, also known as La Cité du Lait, in this, a major French milk-producing area), +33 (0)2 43 59 51 90; further museums, river wash sheds, boat hire companies and river cruises from the river port, +33 (0)2 43 49 46 46
Entrammes: vestiges of Gallo-Roman thermal baths +33 (0)2 43 49 46 46; the Abbaye du Port Salut +33 (0)2 43 67 18 64
Château-Gontier: L’Arche animal rescue centre, +33 (0)2 43 07 24 38; Ursuline convent; church of St John the Baptist, +33 (0)2 43 70 42 74; river boating tourism, +33 (0)2 43 07 61 78
