WANDER ALONG THE WATER

Anjou, divided between the Parisian basin (to the east) and the Armorican massif (to the west) is a rather flat region, criss-crossed by many rivers. Our department is the most irrigated in France and the Mauges, in the south, constitute the highest part of the region, with hills reaching 210 m (216 m for the hill of La Trottière, its highest point). In these valleys, the Loire flourishes in majesty and its many vassals: Thouet, Authion, Maine, Aubance, Layon. If we all know the longest river in France, what do we know about Maine? The Loir flows into the Sarthe which forms Maine by joining Mayenne to the south of Île Saint-Aubin. Note the phonetic similarity between the latter and Maine. These three rivers, as well as the various patois, created this spring-less river, one of the shortest in France. Indeed, after only 11 km, it flows into the Loire, in Bouchemaine. The Loire, of course, brings its share of floods, but the confluence that forms Maine is a real bottleneck, which is why Île Saint-Aubin and the banks of Maine, but also those of the Sarthe and Mayenne rivers, are affected by so many floods. It is to the north of this confluence that we find the floodplains of the lower Angevin valleys. In short, these capricious rivers have forged an image of wild and untamed nature at the gates of Angers. On the Mayenne, the former Segré railway bridge will be rehabilitated as a greenway by 2019, in order to allow pedestrians and cyclists to travel. You can then enjoy an original view of the river and its surroundings. You can also follow Maine on its northern slope, through the streets that run along it. On the other side (to the southwest), a wild trail follows the same route. Angers itself is crossed by many bridges, such as the Lower Chain, which was rebuilt after a battalion of 220 soldiers died in 1850, the bridge deck, then of the suspended type, having resonated because of the march at the regiment's pace. In Angers, the banks of Maine have been developed for walks, with a cycle path that crosses Lake Maine and continues to Béhuard. Les Ponts-de-Cé has 4 bridges: one on the Authion, two over the Loire, including the Dumnacus bridge, named after a Gallic chief, the last one crossing the Louet. The view from these structures is beautiful and walks can be made along the rivers, on foot. The Saint-Jean-de-la-Croix lift allows you to take a bike or car ride from south of Les Ponts-de-Cé to Port Thibault. There is another place named after this name, this time on the right bank, near Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire, which also offers beautiful walking trails. You can also enjoy river cruises organised during the hot seasons on the Maine, Mayenne, Oudon and Sarthe rivers.