A garden above the Mayenne Valley, medieval buildings and museums covering a wide range of subjects give Laval a rich cultural character. The Jardin de la Perrine brings landscape and garden design together in a striking way: it sits on a rocky promontory overlooking the valley. At the northern end of the rose garden, the imposing keep of the Vieux Château forms the foreground of the landscape.
Gardens and landscapes above the Mayenne
The Jardin de la Perrine is a botanical garden with children’s play areas, animals and ponds. Its rose garden was created in 1920 and features around one hundred varieties of roses. This brings together different aspects of the garden: its position above the valley, the cultivated rose garden, and its other botanical and horticultural features. Visitors interested in plants will find a tangible point of historical reference here; those taking in the cityscape can see the keep as part of the view.
Medieval buildings and their history
Porte Beucheresse is the only surviving fortified entrance to the medieval town of Laval. Two semicircular towers flank the narrow passage, which was once protected by a portcullis and a double-leaf wooden gate. The building illustrates the development of medieval military architecture—not only through its towers, but also through the former defences of the passageway.
The Vieux Château was built in the 11th century as a fortress along an old road that crossed the Mayenne. Today, it can be explored in several ways: on a virtual tour, by climbing the main tower, or on an underground “Spéléo-Visite”. If you have a particular format in mind, check the current dates in advance.
Laval’s churches also showcase different periods of construction. The Basilique Notre-Dame d’Avesnières was extensively remodelled in the first half of the 12th century; its ambulatory opens onto radially arranged chapels. The nave was rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 15th century, while the spire, dating from 1536, is made of yellow Poitou stone. The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de la Trinité dates back to around 1070 and brings together Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Visitors can discover different phases of renovation in the windows and vaults; other features include altarpieces, statues, a triptych, funerary monuments, tapestries and organs.
Museums, art and special ways to visit
The Espace Alain Gerbault commemorates the sailor born in Laval who was the first to sail solo around the world, from 1923 to 1929. The museum space is located in the heart of the Jardin de la Perrine botanical garden. Science and technology take centre stage at ZOOM: as a centre for scientific, technical and industrial culture, it aims to share information about science and technology with everyone.
The MANAS is dedicated to NaĂŻve and Singular Art. Across 1,100 square metres, it presents its collections and temporary exhibitions. The museum also offers adapted visits for people with motor, intellectual, visual and hearing disabilities. If you have a specific requirement, it is best to arrange the details of your visit in advance.
The Bateau-Lavoir Saint-Julien is presented as Europe’s last habitable washhouse boat, and visitors can go on board. In 2009, it was saved from sinking, restored as a living museum and relaunched in 2013. As visitor access may change, it is advisable to check access before your visit. Les Bains Douches offers a different insight into the city’s history: the complex has 16 shower cubicles and six bathing cubicles, which remained in use until 2002. Its richly decorated interior, designed by mosaic artist Isidore Odorico fils, is in the Art Deco style.
Dairy culture, events and cycling
La Cité du Lait explores milk from cultural, heritage, industrial and culinary perspectives. Its offerings include tours, engaging events and educational workshops, as well as cultural and culinary events. At Le Quarante, the Micro-Folie adds a digital dimension to this mix: it offers the chance to discover collections from twelve participating national museums and explore virtual reality. The Café du Quarante hosts workshops, conferences and small-scale artistic performances; visitors can take part in shaping the programme. As event programmes may change, it is worth checking the current dates.
Group visits to the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Pritz are subject to one clear condition: they are available for groups of up to 50 people by prior reservation. Anyone exploring Laval by bike should also plan for one specific feature of the route: the towpath along the Mayenne used by La VĂ©lo Francette is unpaved. The tourist office therefore recommends a trekking or mountain bike rather than a city or road bike. Check the current trail conditions before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Lassay-les-Châteaux, Saint-Denis-De-Gastines, Saint-Denis-D'anjou, Juvigné, Port-Brillet, Cossé-en-Champagne, Neuilly-Le-Vendin, Montenay.
For the broader travel overview: Mayenne.
