Daon brings together the towpath along the Mayenne, Land Art in Parc Art Daon and a remarkable number of châteaux. This offers different ways to plan your visit: hiking, spending time by the water, or exploring architectural and cultural history. The Parcours Santé is open to the public free of charge; check local conditions before your trip.
Hiking and time by the water
The towpath along the Mayenne is 85 kilometres long and provides a safe hiking route for everyone travelling without motor vehicles. Information boards cover the history of navigation, architectural heritage, and local fauna and flora. The route thus combines a hike with a variety of topics to explore along the way. Check local conditions before your trip.
On the banks of the Mayenne in Daon, there is a picnic area in peaceful surroundings; its use is seasonal. Activities by the water include stand-up paddleboarding, boat trips, pedal boats, and canoeing or kayaking. These options are also seasonal. Check availability and operators in advance. This gives you a choice between a peaceful break by the water and a range of activities on it.
Land Art and connecting paths
The Parcours Santé connects Parc Art Daon with the riverside area. Parc Art Daon features Land Art works made from reused objects and natural materials. They are inspired by Christine David de Vinzelles, an artist and Daon resident. Together, the path, art park and riverside offer different ways to enjoy your stay, without requiring a single theme to take centre stage.
The routes’ different highlights can help you compare them: the towpath combines the hiking route with information boards about navigation, architectural heritage, fauna and flora. The Circuit des Châteaux circular route, by contrast, offers the chance to discover Château des Lutz. The Vélo Francette also has a section in Mayenne, running from Ambrières-les-Vallées to Daon.
Châteaux and historical details
Daon is the commune in the Pays de Château-Gontier with the most châteaux; around ten are spread across the area. Château de l'Escoublère is a fortified manor house dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, set behind deep moats. Its Renaissance fountain bears the engraved date 1570. The building’s design, moats and fountain offer specific and distinct features to look out for when exploring the estate.
A short distance from Château de l'Escoublère is the 16th-century Château de Mortreux. Saint-Germain Church also preserves a historical detail: its nave contains a wooden Christ dating from the 16th or 17th century, believed to have come from a former rood screen beam. The Calvaire near the cemetery on the D 22 was made by French foundryman Antoine Durenne.
A religious tradition from the area around Daon tells of an unexpected healing. According to the story, many sick people later made a pilgrimage to Chapelle de la Tremblaye. This story is part of the area’s historical tradition; it does not attest to a regular pilgrimage taking place today.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Georges-Buttavent, Chammes, Coudray, Montsûrs, Laval, Méral, Mayenne, Couesmes-Vaucé.
Back to the main travel overview: Mayenne.
