Suggested routes for the Rivers of Western France
We have come up with travel itineraries for your self drive barge holiday including sightseeing and activities on land. Whether you are travelling for a weekend, a few days or a whole week, treat yourself to a break on the rivers Anjou, Sarthe or Mayenne.
A basin of four navigable rivers
The Rivers of Western France form a vast landscape with 283 km (176 mi) of calm waters made up of four navigable rivers:
- The Mayenne follows a deep valley for 122 km (76 mi) between Mayenne and Angers punctuated by 45 locks.
- The Oudon, with its three locks, is wilder. It runs to the small town of Segré from the Lion d’Angers for 18 km (11 mi).
- The Sarthe, which is framed by hedges and thickets, links Le Mans and Angers, covering a distance of 132 km (82 mi) with 20 locks.
- The Maine, which irrigates the town of Angers, is the shortest of the four rivers at only 11 km (7 mi) and one lock.
Travelling on a river self drive barge
On top of boating on the Rivers of Western France, excursions on land will also provide memorable moments with your family or friends. Check out our suggestions for itineraries on the rivers Maine, Sarthe, Oudon or Mayenne.
A weekend on the Anjou river
Set off on a family adventure for a weekend in the countryside on the Rivers of Western France! Starting at Grez-Neuville, this itinerary offers two stopovers offering lush vegetation: a visit to the plant-themed amusement park Terra Botanica and the island of Saint-Aubin.
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Four days on the river Sarthe
Set off from Sablé-sur-Sarthe on a cruise transporting you back to another time. Take on the guise of an adventurer, a mediaeval lord, or a potter from Malicorne by travelling along the river Sarthe. Included in the itinerary: fun activities to activate the whole family’s imagination.
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A week on the river Mayenne
Enjoy a week-long voyage on the river Mayenne to make new experiences: try out water-skiing, enjoy horse-riding on the banks of the Mayenne, make something artisanal in a knife-making workshop or soap shop.
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How do I plan a voyage on a river self drive barge?
You have decided that you’d like to set off on a riverboat trip on the Rivers of Western France and you would like to know how much time to budget? Before you set off, you will be able to plan your voyage yourself using Fluviacap, a tool for calculating river voyages.
