On the banks of the Mayenne, Ménil brings together riverside trails, local history and a distinctive means of transport. The Bac de Ménil is the last manually operated ferry in the Mayenne department and connects Ménil, Daon and Coudray. Ferry service may be seasonal; check before travelling. The hiking trails and riverside leisure centre also offer different ways to enjoy active days.
Riverside circuits
The Halage et Contre-Halage circuit runs along the Mayenne and is one of the few stretches of river where you can hike on both banks. The loop starts in Ménil and is 13.0 kilometres long. It is rated moderate on foot and easy by mountain bike. Crossing arrangements may affect your plans for this route.
The Circuit de La Bougraie in Ménil follows the Mayenne and the towpath. It is 10.5 kilometres long and takes approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. The two circuits help with different planning considerations: for Halage, you can refer to the difficulty ratings for hiking or mountain biking; for Bougraie, to the approximate duration. The Circuit de la Rivière also follows the Mayenne towpath and offers a chance to discover the landscapes of southern Mayenne. At 10.5 kilometres, Bougraie is the shorter of the two circuits with stated distances; Halage covers 13.0 kilometres.
Cultural history along the way
The Château de Magnanne in Ménil is listed as a Monument historique. Ménil’s former mills served a range of trades: grain was ground into flour, leather was tanned and textiles were fulled. Most of the mills are privately owned; you can view them from hiking trails along the Mayenne. Information panels tell their story. Grain processing, tanning and textile work illustrate three different uses of the mills.
River and leisure
The Base de loisirs de Ménil is on the banks of the Mayenne, in green surroundings south of Château-Gontier. From there, you can explore the river and its towpath by land or water. The Base de loisirs – Camping du Bac Ménil rents out canoes, pedal boats and hybrid bikes; availability depends on the operator. Check what is on offer before your visit. The rental service includes both boats and bicycles, providing different ways to explore the surrounding area.
When looking for a hotel in Ménil, it helps to decide what you want to focus on: hiking a circuit, discovering the history of the mills from the trails, or spending time at the Base de loisirs. This makes it easier to shape your stay around outdoor activities, culture and riverside pursuits.
Discover more destinations: Mayenne, La Baconnière, Brécé, Montenay, Sainte-Suzanne, Cossé-Le-Vivien, Lignières-Orgères and Gesvres.
Go to the main travel overview: Mayenne.
