Laval

Visit Laval, Pays de la Loire

Laval is a substantial town with a long and important history that is situated in the Mayenne department (region Pays-de-la-Loire) about halfway between Rennes and Le Mans.

Exploring Laval

Your visit to Laval will focus around the old medieval centre of the town, with the river and medieval bridge to one side, and the dramatic Laval Castle standing poised above the town on the other side. The old town is very pleasant to explore, with some interesting artefacts and buildings from the Middle Ages such as half timbered buildings.

Laval castle itself dates back to the 12th-13th century, with substantial later modifications. The underground chapel and the donjon are among the oldest parts of the castle. The other part of the castle, in renaissance style and called the Chateau Neuf, was added in the 16th century and used as the Palace of Justice for Laval for almost two centuries following the revolution.

The castle now houses the 'Museum of Naive Art', inspired by the 19th century art of local artist Henri Rousseau.

Also dating from the early medieval period you can see a substantial part of the defensive walls that once surrounded Laval, including an entrance called the Porte Beucheresse.

There are also some notable religious monuments in Laval, with the 12th century roman style Basilica Notre-Dame d'Avesnieres (note in particular the chevet near the river) and the gothic style Cathedral of Saint-Trinity being the most important.

Others include the renaissance style Church of Saint-Venerand and the Church of Notre-Dame des Cordeliers - this church is very interesting inside with a whole series of 17th century altarpieces in the chapels of the church.

Market days in Laval are Saturday and Tuesday.

Attractions nearby

After admiring the view along the river from various points in the town, an alternative way to enjoy the town and setting is by taking one of the organised boat trips along the river itself.

Close to Laval, head a little way south to Entrammes to visit the Thermes d'Entrammes - the Roman baths here are very well preserved and extensive, and only rediscovered about 25 years ago after being lost for 2000 years...

Note: photo of Laval is copyright

See Pays-de-la-Loire and Mayenne (the region and department for Laval) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Laval: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*; Listed town of Art and History;

Suggested places to visit near Laval, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Sainte-Suzanne 31km; Vitre 33km; Fougeres 45km;

Laval tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Parc et jardin de Clivoy - remarkable garden (18km) : La Cropte - ville fleurie 4* (24km) : Juvigne - ville fleurie 4* (26km) : Parc et jardins du château de Craon - remarkable garden (28km) : Chateau-Gontier - recommended detour (28km) : Coudray - ville fleurie 4* (33km) : Jardins de la Pellerine - remarkable garden (34km) : Saint-Loup-du-Gast - ville fleurie 4* (37km) :

See more places and a map at places near Laval