La Roche Neuville loop: heritage and craftsmanship

With family, friends or on your own, venture off the beaten track of the Mayenne towpath to discover the heritage and crafts hidden in the towns of La Roche-Neuville, Loigné-sur-Mayenne and Saint-Sulpice.

Details

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  • Road cycling
    Activity: Road cycling
  • ↔
    Distance: 20.34 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 1.5 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 106 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 100 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 97 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 29 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Villiers-Charlemagne (53170)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.908903° / W 0.710545°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1419SB, 1420SB, 1519SB, 1520SB

  • ◶
    Type of surface: Not specified
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the route

Parking is available along the road leading to Moulin de la Rongère

(S/E) Start the loop at the Moulin de la Rongère (Écluse de la Rongère) and follow the towpath on the right to the Moulin de Neuville.

(1) Pass in front of the Neuville lock and continue, ignoring a fork in the road. Further on, turn right, then left to reach the pumping station.

(2) After the pumping station, turn left onto the towpath and continue to the Roche du Maine lock.

(3) Follow the path until you reach the Mayenne Viaduct.

(4) When you reach the foot of the viaduct, leave the towpath, cross a road, and take the winding path that climbs up to the road. Continue on the cycle path along the road until you reach the first roundabout (cross two paths).

(5) Go through the tunnel to rejoin the path on the other side. The path turns right. At the end, first turn right then left. Follow the cycle path that runs alongside the road to Loigné-sur-Mayenne. Cross the village of Loigné-sur-Mayenne, passing in front of Saint Aubin Church.

(6) Continue straight ahead until you reach the exit from Loigné and the junction with the D215 (third crossroads).

(7) Turn right and take the D215 towards Houssay. Then reach the D607.

(8) Turn right onto the D607 towards Saint-Sulpice. Continue straight ahead until you reach the second road on the left, signposted Le Chenil.

(9) Turn left. Continue straight ahead. When you reach Saint-Sulpice, take the first right and drive past the Château de la Rongère.

(10) Pass the church and stop at the Coutellerie du Maine Anjou to discover the workshop. Turn left towards the Écluse de la Rongère, stopping at Atlantis Alpaga to meet the Mayenne alpacas.

(11) Take the road on the left to arrive at the Moulin de la Rongère and complete the loop. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 33 m - Moulin de la Rongère
  2. 1 : km 2.87 - alt. 32 m - Neuville lock
  3. 2 : km 5.51 - alt. 32 m - Pumping station - Mayenne (rivière)
  4. 3 : km 6.37 - alt. 31 m - Roche du Maine lock - Mayenne (rivière)
  5. 4 : km 7.58 - alt. 30 m - Viaduc de la Mayenne
  6. 5 : km 10.51 - alt. 72 m - Roundabout
  7. 6 : km 13.75 - alt. 82 m - Saint-Aubin Church
  8. 7 : km 14.22 - alt. 95 m - D215
  9. 8 : km 15.33 - alt. 97 m - D607
  10. 9 : km 17.17 - alt. 86 m - Crossroads towards Le Chenil
  11. 10 : km 19.25 - alt. 81 m - Château de la Rongère
  12. 11 : km 19.58 - alt. 78 m - Atlantis Alpaca
  13. S/E : km 20.34 - alt. 33 m - Moulin de la Rongère

Notes

Parking is available at Moulin de la Rongère, with around ten spaces available.

The route is 70% cycle path; the rest is on roads where you may encounter motorists.

It is important to check the opening hours of the various sites open to visitors: always contact the establishment before setting off.

Worth a visit

Château de la Rongère in Saint Sulpice: open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. from 1 June to 30 September.

Coutellerie du Maine Anjou: guided tours on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and the first Sunday of the month.

Atlantis Alpaga: visits by appointment.

PLEASE NOTE: it is necessary to contact the sites before your visit to find out the opening hours and prices of the services offered.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.