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Anjou Navigation boat on the Sarthe river in the Sarthe Valley
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Pascal Beltrami

Go on a cruise down the Sarthe

Set a course for Rivières de l’Ouest®, new waterways to explore

The Sarthe River is at the heart of the new Rivières de l’Ouest® destination, offering 283 km of navigable waterways to discover.

Slow down and enjoy the present moment as you cruise along the rivers of the Sarthe, Mayenne and Anjou. Experience peaceful landscapes, charming villages and the freedom of travelling at your own pace.

Unwind aboard a narrowboat!

An easy-going adventure down the river awaits you, at the helm of a comfortable and fully-equipped boat for a 2 to 7-day cruise.

You’re the captain! You don’t need a boating licence and it only takes around 30 minutes to be able to sail off, at your own pace and enjoy your surroundings, heritage sites, and the wildlife all around you, from the river…

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Piloting on the deck of a houseboat from Anjou Navigation in Sablé-sur-Sarthe in the Sarthe Valley
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Pascal Beltrami

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Passing a lock with a Anjou Navigation houseboat
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Pascal Beltrami

Sailing for dummies!

At the helm, go forwards, go backwards, and sail at a maximum speed of 10km/hour,
Safety is a priority, everyone must wear a life jacket!
Each season, hundreds of groups head off for their first sailing experience here, and it always goes smoothly!
The locks are easy to operate, and meeting the lockmasters is always an enjoyable experience!
You’ll have fully-charged batteries and enough water and fuel for your trip, and if you are coming outside the summer season, heating is also provided!
Aboard your boat, you’ll be able to cook, sleep, sing, dream, sunbathe and just laze about.

Ideas for a weekend on the water

Ideas for a 3-day/2-night trip:

DAY 1
On Friday afternoon, go to the harbour in Sablé-sur-Sarthe and get an introduction to how to sail your boat.
After 30 minutes on the river, you’ll reach your first lock, approaching Solesmes, you should stop off here and go and see the famous Abbey.
A little further down, the Juigné-sur-Sarthe river port is the perfect place to stop off for your first night.

DAY 2
Possibility to visit the Charming Little Town of Character of Asnières-sur-Vègre 5 km away of Avoise.
30 min on the water and you’ll reach Parcé-sur-Sarthe, another very Charming Little Town.
When you arrive in Malicorne-sur-Sarthe, you’ll be impressed by the lively little harbour, pottery, museum and the many artists and craftspeople at the Moulin à Couleurs.

DAY 3
Back to Sablé-sur-Sarthe (5 hours on the water), take your time admiring the wildlife all around you, listen to nature, relax and just take a moment.