A City of Art and History crossed by the river Mayenne, Laval charms with its medieval castle perched on a rocky spur, its half-timbered houses and its walkable quays. Here are the places not to miss.
Looking for things to do in Laval, places to visit near Laval or an idea for a day out this weekend? Here is a selection of the finest sights to see, all explorable directly on the interactive map.
Open Laval on the interactive mapBuilt on a rocky spur overlooking the Mayenne, this 11th-century castle has housed since 1967 the Museum of Naïve and Outsider Art, one of the richest naïve art collections in Europe, in tribute to Le Douanier Rousseau, a native of Laval.
See on the map →Attached to the Old Castle on Place de la Trémoille, this Renaissance building long served as a courthouse before returning to its heritage role.
See on the map →Laid out at the end of the 19th century on a spur overlooking the valley, this park combines a French-style mall, an English garden and a rose garden. It also holds the grave of the painter Henri Rousseau.
See on the map →This bridge over the Mayenne offers one of the finest views of the town, with the castle and old houses reflected in the water.
See on the map →Born in the 11th century, this cathedral was remodelled over the centuries and blends Romanesque and Gothic elements in the historic heart of Laval.
See on the map →This restored floating washhouse recalls the era when dozens of washerwomen worked on the Mayenne. An unusual dive into the town's working-class history.
See on the map →Superbly restored, these early-20th-century public baths are among the most endearing architectural curiosities of Laval.
See on the map →Find these places and hundreds more — restaurants, places to stay, activities — on the BornToVisit interactive map. Filter by theme, find things to do around you and plan your outing.
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