In medieval times, the town was the seat of the Lords of Mayenne. The town originated when Juhel II of Mayenne built a monastery near the gate of the pre-existing castle, which led to the formation of the settlement.

Mayenne was besieged twice, in 1574 and 1590, and suffered substantial damage. It was rebuilt and re-embellished in the following century thanks to the help of Cardinal Mazarin. It however suffered from plague in 1707.

On 9 June 1944, during World War II, it was bombed by English aeroplanes, which caused heavy damage and numerous casualties.

Main sights

• The Château, built in the eleventh century over remains of a Carolingian edifice. It has five towers, only one of which has kept its original conical roof. The vaulted rooms and the chapel have thirteenth century decorations. Once used as a prison, since 2008 it is home to a museum.
• The Basilica of Notre-Dame, founded in 1100. Of the original building, the piers and the arcades of the nave remain.
• Romanesque church of St. Martin, enlarged in neo-medieval style during the nineteenth century.

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