MAYENNE, a department of north-western France, bounded on the north by Manche and Orne, east by Sarthe, south by Maine-et-Loire and west by Ille-et-Vilaine. Area, 1,986 sq. miles. Pop. (1931) The department forms the eastern portion of the Armorican system of Palaeozoic rocks, with zones of granite running east and west in its northern part. The Mayenne cuts across the grain of the country in its course from north to south through the middle of the department ; it receives a number of small tributaries. The Oudon runs parallel to it in the south of the department and then turns eastward to join it in the depart ment of Maine-et-Loire. The land in the north-east rises to 1,368 feet. Varying zones of soil give sandy heaths alternating with marshes that make the air moist and foggy ; the rainfall is rather above the average (32 in.) and the temperature is slightly lower than in neighbouring departments.
Large numbers of horned cattle and horses are reared, and the Craon breeds of horses and pigs are famous. Mayenne produces butter and poultry and much honey. The cultivation of the vine is very limited, and the most common beverage is cider. Wheat, barley, oats and buckwheat are the most important crops, and much flax and hemp is produced. Game is abundant. The timber
grown is chiefly beech, oak, birch, elm and chestnut. The depart ment produces vanadium, antimony, auriferous quartz and coal. Marble, slate and other stone are quarried. There are several chalybeate springs. Exports include agricultural produce, live stock, timber and stone. The department is served by the Ouest Etat railway. It forms part of the circumscriptions of the IV. army corps, the academie (educational division) of Rennes, and the court of appeal of Angers. It comprises three arrondissements (Laval, Château-Gontier and Mayenne), with 27 cantons and 276 communes. Laval, the capital, is the seat of a bishopric of the province of Tours. The other principal towns are Chateau-Gontier and Mayenne. The following places are also of interest : Evron, which has a church of the 12th and 13th centuries; Jublains, with a Roman fort and other Roman remains ; Lassay, with a fine château of the 14th and 16th centuries; and Ste. Suzanne, which has remains of mediaeval ramparts and a fortress with a Ro manesque keep.