On the route which bears the n°8 with directional signage, you will have 58% of dirt roads, reclaimed natural spaces, in particular the famous fishing village with its ponds. To the west of the short road from Laval to Château-Gontier-sur-Mayenne, crossed under bridges, you will complete a loop designed on the upper level of a large meander in the river. I let you in on a secret. This is where the beaver family has lived since 2009, this large rodent that can weigh up to 30 kg but whose discretion makes it almost invisible unless you choose a moonlight to try to observe it from the towpath.
If you like remarkable trees, the park of the Château de la Valette has a fine collection of them, as it also has a rare Bollée wind turbine. The course almost adjoins the counter-tow until it decides to go up a valley which reveals as you go up it one of the remarkable castles of Mayenne, La Rongère with its balcony park on the river.
But where does the Villiers-Charlemagne appellation come from? Villiers is a widespread name in France in the Middle Ages. Its first mention dates from the 12th century and corresponds to the birth of the town on a castle site. As for Charlemagne, it is much rarer. We know that the great emperor in the year 800 authorized the circulation on the Mayenne of the boats of the Loire monks. More likely, this name no doubt commemorates his grandson Charles le Chauve who signed a treaty with the turbulent Breton neighbors at Entrammes in 863 to give them authority on the right bank of the Mayenne in exchange for peace.