Discoveries and activities in Aze, Mayenne, Pays de la Loire

Be careful, after a collapse, a detour is in place at the start of the trail at the parking lot of “La Belletière”. The Arcades The departure point, in Nort-sur-Erdre, is from the road of Issé at the parking of La Belletière. Go and discover a trail that you have never seen before by taking the edges of the feeding conduct. Also known as the “Little Canal”, the conduct joins the Lake of Vioreau to the Nantes-Brest Canal, from the lock house of “Pas d’Héric”. It allows that the first section of the canal has water to balance the reduction of water due to the lockage and evaporation of water during the summer. Its construction is a technical piece of art. With a slope of only 14 centimetres per kilometre of 21.3 kilometres long, the feeding conduct goes through the high Valley of the Erdre thanks to 4 aqueducts from 8 to 10 arches and goes underground on over 600 metres. It is covered by a lot of little bridges of quaint stones. Depending on the season, you will see the Castle of la Lucinière and its wooded domain on the other side of the Valley of the Erdre.

To begin this trail, meet up at the parking lot of the slag heap of Abbaretz. This former mining site is worth it. During the time of Julius Caesar, this mining site was one of the most important sources of tin. The climb of the 200 steps will take you to a unique view of the region.  

Beginning at the city center, this trail guides you to the higher ground called the “Mont Juillet”. At the pond of “La Martellière”, you will find tables and a playground.  

The marshes of Blanche Noë are in the south of Nort-sur-Erdre in which you can find an ornithological and aquatic site allowing you discover its fauna and its flora. At the beginning of the lake, have a walk along the river Erdre to arrive at Port Mulon’s Castle and its park. Appreciate the charming villages of “Tomblehoux”, “Gâtine” and “La Poupinière” and see the vantage point on the river Erdre and the plains. Then, join the canal and by going through the moat and see the viewpoint from Quihex’s lockhouse and further along eat at the gourmet terrace of La Tindière. To finish go through the village of Le Plessis pas Brunet to go back to the lake.

Beginning at the sports complex, this trail will take you north of the town. You will see the castle du Pont Hus and its famous stud farm but also the “logis du Breuil”, a renovated fort.

A walking trail to discover the paths of the countryside. It begins in the city center, at the parking lot of the sports complex of Fernant Sastre, do not miss the visible heritage such as the church, the old town, the windmill…  It is possible to prolong this walk towards the port La Rivière, where you can see the castle of the Pont Hus then follow the path to get to a point of view on the river L’Erdre.  

You can meet at the "Place du Champ de Foire" of Nozay to begin this historical trail. Step by step, you will discover the history of the shale, this characteristic local rock has been a huge part of Nozay’s landscape. It has been sculpted to pave the Roman roads, then to build manors, barns, calvaries, churches or wash houses and ovens…, the blue slate is everywhere. On your way, do not hesitate to open the doors of "L’Enclos", an ancient churchyard of medieval architecture made in shale, ranked as a historic monument. Then, you can walk along the variant of "Les Grées" (no access with horses), that has an interpretive trail in which you will go in an ancient blue slate quarry transformed into a sports natural area (rock-climbing, mountain bike and orienteering).

In the beginning, it is large roads and farmer tracks that invite us to continue in the countryside. Then from little villages to isolated hamlets, the trail alternates between small roads and small underwood trails to prepare us for the adventure to come. Further away, the silhouette of the tin mine of Abbaretz dominates the landscape and there are also small trails that you can discover. On the other side, the lunar atmosphere of the mine invites us for a few moments of amazement before going back on the path of the peaceful shores of the lake of Gruellau.

Go discover “The Charcoal route”, on the site of The Mines of Languin. The village of Languin keeps yet again traces of ancient charcoal mines that were kept in activity until the beginning of the 20th century. This trail will lead you on the feeding conduct and beside the director of the Mines’ residence that was edified in 1723 where you can find a three-hundred-year-old cedar of Lebanon (1737). From the village of “Bel Air”, you can enjoy a remarkable view of the surrounding bocage, which rises to an altitude of 55 metres.

Gîte designed exclusively for business stays (2 people, 2 bedrooms). Accommodation on the north side of an 18th century farmhouse adjoining 2 other gîtes. Each gîte has its own private space and parking. The grounds are enclosed and planted with trees. You are in the countryside, yet close to Château-Gontier (5 minutes by car). Neuf Sauveloup is a hamlet of a few houses, on a quiet hillside. The town of Château-Gontier is well known for its rich heritage, its port, its sports facilities and the variety of its shops. Within easy reach of Angers (30 mins), Laval (20 mins), Craon (20 mins), the Coëvrons and Sainte Suzanne. Château-Gontier is also a town on the River Mayenne, with numerous activities at the port (water-skiing, pedal-boat hire or bikes to follow the towpath). Numerous comic strip, show and theatre festivals bring the town to life. Aquatic centre with large indoor and outdoor pools, a spa...

This sanctuary, which has been in existence for 50 years, looks after a thousand animals of 120 different species. Over a shaded area of 23 hectares, you will discover birds, raccoons, monkeys, reptiles, felines, bears and herbivores. Each animal has its own story to tell as you stroll through the park, from private individuals to zoos, circuses and laboratories. Our guides will also be happy to meet you along the way for themed encounters such as "The life of primates", "Felines", "The animals that surround us", etc. The Refuge de l'Arche is managed by the CEPAN association (Club d'Étude et de Protection des Animaux et de la Nature), which has been recognised as a charitable organisation since November 2014. New for 2022: cat parks, new primate areas, European zone. OPENINGS : January: 10am to 5pm, weekends only (closed on 1 January) February, March: 10am to 6pm April, May, June, July, August: 10am to 7pm September, October: 10am to 6pm November, December: 10am to 5pm, school holidays (all zones), bank holidays and weekends only (closed on 25 December). Last admissions: 1 hour before the park closes For safety reasons, the Refuge may be closed in bad weather. Shop open all year round. FAMILY / CHILDREN : > Family quiz > Meeting points along the tour route > Educational workshops

A vertiginous flautist and prolific composer, Naïssam Jalal explores the fundamental link between music, nature and spirituality at the heart of Indian classical music. Fascinated by Indian music for many years, Naïssam Jalal, a Franco-Syrian artist, decided in 2024 to travel alone for several months in search of the spirit of Hindustani music. Nourished by encounters and teachings, she has composed this latest album as an intimate, spiritual repertoire based on the sensations and reflections she experienced during her travels. On stage, she brings together five musicians from the Indian classical tradition on vocals, tablas and tanpura, and jazz musicians on piano and drums in a spellbinding marriage of sound. Their unique instrumentation brings together contemporary aesthetics and the language of Indian classical music for a musical and contemplative journey to the far reaches of the Himalayas. We're carried away, suspended in infinitely beautiful soundscapes! friday 6 march 2026 - 8.30pm Théâtre des Ursulines ages 12 and up duration: 1h15 numbered seating rate C

What if we could use writing to enter into a dialogue with the wild forces of a landscape? Guillaume Lambert, author of the show L'île sans nom, is organising a workshop to share his outdoor writing tools. Writing with a place means making room for and lending your voice to other presences, whether human, non-human or invisible. It means learning to look at a place from the different points of view that inhabit it. It means feeling that we are surrounded by stories great and small, and that we can become scribes of them. Saturday 7 March 2026 - 10.00 am Pôle culturel des Ursulines, reception room ages 15 and up duration: 3 hours price €5

An incredible line-up of American stars in an explosive, funny and resolutely political fable! Blockbuster is a theatrical O.V.N.I., a play-film parody made from 1,400 shots taken from 160 Hollywood films. The result of this titanic montage is a blockbuster with an original script: a fable about the violence of the ruling class against the people, in which humour is seen as an instrument of protest. All the ingredients of the blockbuster are brought together in this clever collage of Manichean heroes, chases and spectacular explosions. The Collectif Mensuel skilfully provide live voice dubbing, home-made sound effects and live music. Nothing is left to chance, and it's all great fun! theatre | music | cinema tuesday 16 december 2025 - 8.30pm Théâtre des Ursulines from 14 years Audiodescription show with Marina Guittois. Meet at 7.45pm for equipment and mediation before the show. running time: 1 hour 20 minutes numbered seating rate B Waiting list !!!

Inspired by the story of his grandmother, Guillaume Gatteau depicts the fate of millions of people forced into exile by conflict and geographical redrawing. In 1941, Guillaume Gatteau's grandmother Léocadie was deported from Belarus to Germany, where she met her future husband, a Frenchman. where she met her future husband, a Frenchman from the Vendée. On liberation, when her country became Soviet, she followed her husband and settled on a farm near Challans (85). She never saw her family again. For the first time, in 2002, Guillaume Gatteau travelled back to 37 Cielskaïa, where Léocadie was born, in order to reconnect with this lost country and history. On stage, five actors embody this family quest with intensity, giving this intimate, personal story a universal scope: that of a huge, moving, joyful and powerful reconciliation. Director and actor Guillaume Gatteau was also assistant to Stanislas Nordey before setting up his own company, La fidèle idée, in 1997. Théâtre Thursday 22 January 2026 - 8.30pm Théâtre des Ursulines ages 14 and up duration: 1h30 numbered seating rate B

Are you looking for a hotel for business, tourism or leisure? .... Our hotel is ideally located in the town centre on the Laval/Nantes axis (N162) near the river Mayenne, the gardens, all the shops, restaurants, buses, churches, the Saint Fiacre park, the cinema, the refuge de l'arche, the ursulines convent... On 2 floors without a lift, stay in one of the 21 non-smoking rooms decorated in a refined, modern style. The single, double, twin and family rooms all have en suite bathrooms or showers with wc, televisions with canal+ and bein 1.2.3 and free wifi 6. Our comfort room also has a 180 cm bed and the grand confort room has a sitting area on the ground floor overlooking the courtyard. To get the day off to a good start, our sweet and savoury breakfast will tempt you with its variety, and we offer an express formula on request. A modern bar is also available for you to relax in. If you are travelling by car or by bike, there is a private car park available 24 hours a day, as well as storage space for bicycles. The hotel is accessible to disabled guests. Responsive to your requests and available non-stop from morning to night, the owners will be delighted to give you a warm, personalised welcome every day. Your comfort, well-being and satisfaction are not just buzzwords... at the Hôtel du Cerf, they're a priority! Book directly on 02.43.07.25.13 or on our website www.hotel-du-cerf-53.com to benefit from the best guaranteed rates and find out about all our services! We look forward to welcoming you! Open: every evening. Rates: from €75 to €160 (for 1 to 5 people) Breakfast: €9.50 Stage evenings from €99 to €130 in partnership with "restaurant le 2M".

Treat yourself to a gîte with top-of-the-range facilities in this beautiful, comfortable wooden house: wellness area with private spa, highly refined personal decor, fully-equipped kitchen and family suite, exercise bike. There is also a 1,000m² lake ideal for family fishing (roach, tench and carp). This gîte is self-contained. It has a breathtaking view over the Mayenne valley below, and a landscaped area of 8,000m². Enjoy a unique experience in the gentle Mayenne countryside! There's no shortage of things to do, with the Chemin de Hallage nearby, the Refuge de l'Arche in Château-Gontier just a few kilometres away, the Musée Tatin in Craon, and La Flèche zoo. Château-Gontier has a very recent aquatic complex (full range of activities), and at the port you can hire boats by the day and bicycles (muscle bikes and electric bikes). The gîte is 1.5km from the Vélo Francette® towpath. Mezzanine with reading area and extra sleeping space for 2 people.

The ideal place to relax and get away from it all in the heart of the city. A personalised welcome at this hotel, where the comfortable rooms let you enjoy the shady park, spa area, tennis court and heated swimming pool. LCD screen, free wifi. Electric car recharging point: €5 per connection + consumption. Find out more about Anne-Laure and Olivier Alléard, Slowlydays' committed partners.

Enjoy this elegant 50 m2 studio apartment with terrace, close to the town centre and the towpath. The flat has been fully renovated and is fully equipped. Ideal for a business trip, training course or short break... It comprises : - a living room with dining area and fitted kitchen - a bedroom with a double bed and a sofa bed in the living room - a bathroom with toilet and washing machine Minimum rental of 2 days, by the week or by the month Sheets and towels provided Pets not allowed.

Lieu ouvert sur l’environnement et l’écologie, le muséum développe et expose de précieuses collections, témoins de la diversité.

Following a visit to the castle, take a walk along the ‘Bout du Monde’ with its impressive views of the river Maine and the château.

You cannot help but smile at the carvings of the young women that adorn the façade of 38 rue St. Laud. Dating back to 1892, when it was a café and concert hall called the 'Alcazar', it is one of the oldest examples of art nouveau in Angers.

The castle with its 17 duo tone towers is one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in France! Inside, you will find the 14th century ‘Apocalypse Tapestry’. Measuring 103 metres in length, it the largest of all medieval woven tapestries.

The first recorded example of Plantagenet gothic architecture. The cathedral is full of stunning features including its elaborate facade and stone carvings (grimacing faces, monsters and acrobats), and the stained glass window - the oldest of which dates back to 1165 AD.

A listed building dating from the 16th century. Distinctive wooden carvings decorate its frontage…the best known is ‘Le Tricouillard’, who displays no modesty by revealing himself for all to see!

First of all, let's get to know each other... We are an association, "L'Association des Amitiés Sociales - ILIADE HABITAT JEUNES", which has been active in the Castrogontes area since 1962. We cover 4 sectors of activity: - accommodation for 16-30 year olds (6 residences in 4 communes and 2 départements) - catering, open to all, details of which are given below - room hire, exclusively for professional use, for seminars, training courses, meetings, etc. - Tiny House hire, for one-off rentals to the general public during the summer period Our catering business... Our catering service is open to anyone from outside our residences, provided they are members of our Association. This service enables our residents to have most of their meals on site, but also allows external customers to find a moderately priced meal solution in Château-Gontier sur Mayenne. At the same time, it promotes a convivial atmosphere, in keeping with the values of our Association. A varied cuisine prepared on site is served with smiles and good humour! We offer a "Self" option with a 4-course tray (starter, main course, cheese and dessert) and a "Snacking" option (1 snack + 1 side dish + 1 dessert + 1 drink). You can also relax with a coffee or a drink in our cafeteria. In fine weather, we offer you access to our outdoor terrace where you can enjoy the "Douceur Angevine" to the full. Since 2018, our offer has been extended with the opening of our Espace Pierre Henry. Comprising 2 meeting rooms for professional use (seminars, training courses, meetings, etc.), this space also has a restaurant in the true sense of the word. By reservation only, we'll let you settle in first... We will then serve you our special "Tout en Cocotte" menu, which, as its name suggests, is presented in individual casseroles for starter, main course and dessert! Always prepared by the Head Chef's team, and within our establishment, this more refined cuisine features exclusively local produce (30 km around Château-Gontier sur Mayenne). We look forward to meeting you... and serving you! ILIADE HABITAT JEUNES

The Maison Marsollier Le Veau d'Or prepares fine cuisine with produce from the market.

La Cantine: brasserie, crêperie, and salads in the centre of Château-Gontier.

La Galettière is a crêperie located in the centre of the Old Town of Château-Gontier.

Welcome to your refined, modern restaurant: le 2M! The 2M restaurant offers French cuisine made with a variety of fresh produce, with a daily lunch menu (choice of 1 starter and 2 main courses). Other menus are available every day of the week for lunch and dinner. The restaurant's intimate lounge area offers a wide selection of wines. The cuisine is gourmet, regional and homemade. The brasserie and bar area is perfect for late-night dining with friends. A large, sheltered terrace will welcome you on a fine summer's day. We look forward to seeing you soon! > Open every day for lunch and dinner

Les Halles restaurant is located right in the centre of Château-Gontier on Place Paul Doumer. The restaurant's trademark: fresh produce! In fact, the owners are also butchers and the two establishments communicate through the kitchen! So when you order at the restaurant, you can be sure that your piece of meat comes straight from the butcher! Add to this the demand that the products come exclusively from the Pays de la Loire region, and you have a recipe for a quality meal. And what about the fish? Here too, the focus is on freshness, as the fish comes from the fishmonger located 50 metres from the restaurant. There's also a catering service available to take away or as a service. Don't hesitate to ask for the menu. Les Halles restaurant is open for lunch every day from Tuesday to Saturday (open on Sundays and weekday evenings for groups, please contact us). > Open for lunch from Tuesday to Saturday. > Butcher's shop open Tuesday to Friday from 8.30am to 1pm and from 3.30pm to 7pm. Saturday 8.30am to 1pm

Gîte designed exclusively for business stays (2 people, 2 bedrooms). Accommodation on the north side of an 18th century farmhouse adjoining 2 other gîtes. Each gîte has its own private space and parking. The grounds are enclosed and planted with trees. You are in the countryside, yet close to Château-Gontier (5 minutes by car). Neuf Sauveloup is a hamlet of a few houses, on a quiet hillside. The town of Château-Gontier is well known for its rich heritage, its port, its sports facilities and the variety of its shops. Within easy reach of Angers (30 mins), Laval (20 mins), Craon (20 mins), the Coëvrons and Sainte Suzanne. Château-Gontier is also a town on the River Mayenne, with numerous activities at the port (water-skiing, pedal-boat hire or bikes to follow the towpath). Numerous comic strip, show and theatre festivals bring the town to life. Aquatic centre with large indoor and outdoor pools, a spa...

Service area located at the campsite of the Parc

Are you looking for a hotel for business, tourism or leisure? .... Our hotel is ideally located in the town centre on the Laval/Nantes axis (N162) near the river Mayenne, the gardens, all the shops, restaurants, buses, churches, the Saint Fiacre park, the cinema, the refuge de l'arche, the ursulines convent... On 2 floors without a lift, stay in one of the 21 non-smoking rooms decorated in a refined, modern style. The single, double, twin and family rooms all have en suite bathrooms or showers with wc, televisions with canal+ and bein 1.2.3 and free wifi 6. Our comfort room also has a 180 cm bed and the grand confort room has a sitting area on the ground floor overlooking the courtyard. To get the day off to a good start, our sweet and savoury breakfast will tempt you with its variety, and we offer an express formula on request. A modern bar is also available for you to relax in. If you are travelling by car or by bike, there is a private car park available 24 hours a day, as well as storage space for bicycles. The hotel is accessible to disabled guests. Responsive to your requests and available non-stop from morning to night, the owners will be delighted to give you a warm, personalised welcome every day. Your comfort, well-being and satisfaction are not just buzzwords... at the Hôtel du Cerf, they're a priority! Book directly on 02.43.07.25.13 or on our website www.hotel-du-cerf-53.com to benefit from the best guaranteed rates and find out about all our services! We look forward to welcoming you! Open: every evening. Rates: from €75 to €160 (for 1 to 5 people) Breakfast: €9.50 Stage evenings from €99 to €130 in partnership with "restaurant le 2M".

Treat yourself to a gîte with top-of-the-range facilities in this beautiful, comfortable wooden house: wellness area with private spa, highly refined personal decor, fully-equipped kitchen and family suite, exercise bike. There is also a 1,000m² lake ideal for family fishing (roach, tench and carp). This gîte is self-contained. It has a breathtaking view over the Mayenne valley below, and a landscaped area of 8,000m². Enjoy a unique experience in the gentle Mayenne countryside! There's no shortage of things to do, with the Chemin de Hallage nearby, the Refuge de l'Arche in Château-Gontier just a few kilometres away, the Musée Tatin in Craon, and La Flèche zoo. Château-Gontier has a very recent aquatic complex (full range of activities), and at the port you can hire boats by the day and bicycles (muscle bikes and electric bikes). The gîte is 1.5km from the Vélo Francette® towpath. Mezzanine with reading area and extra sleeping space for 2 people.

The ideal place to relax and get away from it all in the heart of the city. A personalised welcome at this hotel, where the comfortable rooms let you enjoy the shady park, spa area, tennis court and heated swimming pool. LCD screen, free wifi. Electric car recharging point: €5 per connection + consumption. Find out more about Anne-Laure and Olivier Alléard, Slowlydays' committed partners.

Enjoy this elegant 50 m2 studio apartment with terrace, close to the town centre and the towpath. The flat has been fully renovated and is fully equipped. Ideal for a business trip, training course or short break... It comprises : - a living room with dining area and fitted kitchen - a bedroom with a double bed and a sofa bed in the living room - a bathroom with toilet and washing machine Minimum rental of 2 days, by the week or by the month Sheets and towels provided Pets not allowed.

In the heart of the town lies a beautiful 18th century residence and its outbuilding. Upstairs is a former artist's studio converted into a guest room. A comfortable lounge, mezzanine bedroom, bathroom and toilet are at your disposal. You can wander around the large landscaped garden, panoramic terrace and view over the Mayenne. Sleeps 2 people maximum, no pets. Price 85€ including breakfast.

Located in the heart of the town centre, the Délia guest rooms welcome you to Château-Gontier

Situated in the heart of the historic centre, on the banks of the river Mayenne and its towpath, this highly unusual medieval house offers two large bedrooms, each with a view over the river. The entire house has undergone a comprehensive restoration in order to open its doors to visitors in 2018. In fine weather, you can enjoy breakfast on the balcony overlooking the river. Secure bike storage for VéloFrancette hikers. The house is close to restaurants, sports and cultural activities.