Mayenne en famille: small pleasures and big memories

Your adventure begins at Lac de Haute Mayenne, at the May'N Loisirs leisure center in La Haie Traversaine. Here, water becomes a playground. On the inflatable aquatic course, children jump, slide and challenge their balance to the roar of laughter. While the younger ones explore the play areas, you and the whole family can take to the water on the Mississippi boats or try your hand at the giant paddle.

The lake sparkles in the sunshine, the beach invites you to swim, and the volleyball and petanque courts bring the tribes together for impromptu tournaments. The snack bar on the terrace becomes your HQ for a refreshing break overlooking the water.

In the evening, head for Domaine d'Elaura, your base camp for the next three nights. This haven of peace in the heart of nature offers plenty of space for everyone to find their own rhythm. The children can play safely in the 1,500 m² garden, while you re-discover the world on the south-facing terrace. In the adjoining outbuilding, the play area already promises the evenings to come: games room, karaoke, and even a dance corner for the most motivated.

A few minutes from the estate, Fontaine-Daniel seems straight out of a fairytale, with its old stone houses, lake and woods. The first stop on the little square is the épicerie coopérative, a warm and inviting place to shop, chat and taste. Further on, the crêperie Le Petit Monde makes your mouth water with its gourmet galettes. At the end of the village, the walk around the pond takes you to the chapel of Saint-Michel and the allotments.

But the treasure of the day is the Toiles de Mayenne showroom. Here, fabric is king: elegant stripes, deep colors, noble materials... The history of a weaving village can be read right on the fabric. For a timeless break, push open the door of the Bois Salair monastery. Here, the nuns concoct herbal teas and cosmetics inspired by nature and silence (store open Fridays and Saturdays).

This is Lassay-les-Châteaux, a Petite Cité de Caractère that has turned history into a family playground. "A Day with Paulette" turns you into detectives of the past: equipped with your smartphone and the Wivisit app, you follow in the footsteps of this 50s washerwoman through cobbled streets, secret gardens and flower-filled washhouses. Children will love solving the riddles along the 2.3 km route.

At the turn of an alley, the Château de Lassay rises up, intact and majestic with its eight towers linked by ramparts. This 15th-century fortress, still inhabited today, opens its doors to you for a plunge back into the Middle Ages. A magical moment is guaranteed when you operate the drawbridge yourself, as the whole family looks on in amazement.

When the sun is at its zenith, nothing beats an impromptu picnic in the rose garden near the Benedictine Convent. For those who prefer sit-down dining, La Ruette welcomes gourmands with its homemade tarts.

Between the castle walls and the flower-filled alleyways, the day is enriched by discoveries: Alain Legros' workshop, where wood comes to life under his expert hands, the Sous nos mains boutique featuring creations by Mayenne artisans, and the tourist office with its retro decor and local products selected from within a 30-kilometer radius.

The adventure continues at the Musée du Cidre at Domaine de la Duretière, where Aurore and Josselin Le Royer share their passion for cider and calvados. In this Domfrontais appellation contrôlée area, the final tasting (apple juice for the kids!) seals this immersion in local traditions.

The river that gave its name to the département meanders lazily at the foot of the town of Mayenne. In the streets, "Le Voyage de Gabin" transforms urban exploration into a thrilling quest. You'll find yourself in the shoes of a sailor from the past. This 2-kilometre treasure hunt reveals the city in a series of family-friendly riddles.

At the top of the hill, the Château de Mayenne reveals an unexpected treasure: beneath its medieval walls lies the best-preserved Carolingian palace in Europe. In the cool halls, thousand-year-old chess and tric-trac pieces fascinate young and old alike, silent witnesses to a time when strategy and entertainment were already intertwined.

Then comes the highlight of this last day: the Pat'à Foin Farm. This educational farm like no other is home to rescued animals only. The team tells you the touching story of each resident, while the children cuddle these survivors who have found a second life here.

To savor your last moments in Mayenne, there are several atmospheres to tempt you: L'Éveil des sens, with its Michelin-starred cuisine featuring local produce, L'Escale, a family brasserie at affordable prices, or L'Octroi, with its lunchtime buffet of starters and dishes prepared with fresh produce. For relaxation, Garden's Pub unfurls its exotic terrace right in the center of town, with 35 different beers and cocktails. And for a picnic by the water, head for La Cale, with local specialities from the tourist office.