The ancient town of Laval lies on the banks of the Mayenne River in the Pays de la Loire region of north-central France, near the Loire Valley and close to the border of Brittany. Since the 14th century, the area has been renowned for producing fine linens, but today the Laval and Mayenne Technology Park is located here, making it a modern centre for electronics and various other cutting-edge technologies as well.

Laval’s old town still boasts many fine examples of 16th and 18th century dwellings, as well as two châteaux and several churches. The area has been settled since the 6th century, and boasts an 11th century castle, which houses a magnificent art museum. From the castle, a historic avenue runs to the river and the old port of Beucheresse. Also of note, many shops located here have been open for centuries, and weekly markets are held on Tuesdays and Saturdays, bringing the best of the region’s renowned cheeses, milk and yogurt into the city.