Mayenne, Department in northwestern Pays de la Loire, France
Mayenne is a department located in the northwestern corner of the Pays de la Loire region, covering roughly 5,175 square kilometers. The terrain shifts from open plains to gentle hills, wooded areas, and the northern edge of the Armorican Massif.
This department formed in 1790 during the French Revolution by combining parts of the historic provinces of Maine in the north and Anjou in the south. The merger created a new administrative unit amid the sweeping political changes of that era.
The department maintains three distinct administrative centers through its arrondissements of Laval, Mayenne, and Château-Gontier, each with local governance structures.
Laval sits centrally within the department and offers direct train connections to Paris along with regular links to other regional towns. This central position makes the department capital a practical starting point for travel across the entire area.
Mont des Avaloirs rises to 417 meters (1,368 feet) above sea level, forming the highest point in the entire department. This hill stands noticeably above the surrounding countryside, offering wide views across the flatter terrain around it.
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