3 days sailing on the peaceful rivers of Anjou
Between lush green meadows and golden stone villages, the Mayenne unfurls its shimmering course like an invitation to travel. Here, time stretches to the rhythm of the locks, and each meander reveals a new tableau. Come aboard your floating home without a permit, and let the river tell you all its secrets. From Grez-Neuville to Angers and back, this three-day cruise promises a timeless interlude, where the lapping of the water becomes the soundtrack to your day. Welcome aboard an adventure where slowness becomes the art of living.
You'll love
Gliding between nature and heritage on a boat without a license
Dinner in a lock keeper's house or a country guinguette
Dock at the foot of Angers castle and stroll through the city
A stopover on Île Saint-Aubin, a haven of peace in the heart of nature
Day 1 : casting off from Grez-Neuville
Your adventure begins in the village of Grez-Neuville. Here, at the confluence of four navigable rivers, time already seems to slow down. The village, born of the union of two villages separated by the Mayenne, welcomes you with its Roussard stone church and fortress-like mill.
The moment you've been waiting for arrives: you take charge of your houseboat at the river stop. You don't need a license, just a few explanations, and you're captain of your floating home. Remember to rent bicycles before you set off: they'll come in handy for exploring the surrounding area during your stopovers. Once past the first lock - with the help of a lock keeper - the river opens up to wooded shores, flower-filled banks and sleepy hamlets.
The towpath winds gently along on your right. Where once horses pulled the freight-laden barges, cyclists and walkers now greet you with a wave.
After an hour and a half of leisurely cruising, you come into sight of Feneu and its Port Albert.
Moor your boat. Get on your bike or explore the 7-kilometer circuit des châteaux on foot to discover the local heritage: the Château de Montriou, the Château de Sautré built on its rocky spur to keep an eye on river traffic, and the Moulins de Sautré, stone sentinels erected in 1285.
In the evening, from April to October, let yourself be tempted by the Port Albert guinguette. Under the twinkling garlands of lights, conversations stretch on, laughter resounds, and the magic of the river is already at work.
Day 2 : en route to Angers, the capital of Anjou
Leaving Feneu, the river guides you towards Cantenay-Épinard, in the heart of the Natura 2000 listed Basses Vallées Angevines. Here, the Mayenne joins the Sarthe in an aquatic ballet to form the Maine. The landscape changes, alternating between wet meadows and preserved hedged farmland. At the Bords de Mayenne reception pavilion, find out more about the hiking trails that wind between these two rivers.
Then Montreuil-Juigné comes into view, singular in its two locks. The 34-meter-long Montreuil-Belfroy lock once fed the local flour mill. The village's stonework preserves the memory of this industrial past. The hamlet of "Vieux Cantenay", nestling on the banks of the Sarthe, boasts fine residences such as the Château de Grand Vaux and La Hautvraie.
After two hours' sailing between Mayenne and Maine, Angers rises up before you. Moor your boat in front of the imposing medieval castle, offering a theatrical arrival in the capital of Anjou. Discover the city of King René. Inside the château, the famous Tapestry of the Apocalypse awaits you. The cobbled streets of the historic center are full of treasures: the majestic Saint-Maurice cathedral, the picturesque Maison d'Adam with its mischievous sculptures, the collegiate church of Saint-Martin...
Or opt for total immersion in nature at Terra Botanica, Europe's first park dedicated to plants. Extraordinary gardens, butterfly hothouse, flying walnut shells... Here, 500,000 plants from all over the world create a magical setting. If the season is right, Terra Nocta transforms the park into a cathedral of light at dusk.
Then head to the Cale de la Savatte: the ephemeral bar (April to October), with a view of your boat, offers the perfect setting for this Anjou evening.
Day 3 : back to green via île Saint-Aubin
The next day, we head north, climbing gently towards Grez-Neuville. One last stop: Ile Saint-Aubin. This 600-hectare island is a world apart. There are no cars here. Just free-roaming cows and paths lined with tall grasses that dance in the wind.
Settle in at the Port de l'île guinguette for a grassy lunch. Then hop on a bike or explore the paths on foot. Watch the birds in the distance and let the silence do its work.
Back in Grez-Neuville, end your journey with a tasty stopover at L'Écluse, a restaurant housed in a former lock-keeper's house. Here, dishes pay tribute to local producers: organic vegetables from Feneu, meats from the Grigné farm, bread from Maison Bondy... The chef creates local cuisine with a high degree of added spontaneity. A final gourmet interlude, between land, sea and river, to close your logbook in style.
Want to extend your trip to Anjou?
- Pedal along the Vélo Francette between Angers and Laval, past locks and peaceful villages, or join the Loire à Vélo to explore the villages and wineries of the Loire Valley.
- Extend your journey to the Loir valley. Other navigable rivers await you, among picturesque villages nestled against hillsides, sun-drenched vineyards, generous orchards and troglodytic houses carved out of tufa rock.