Source de la Vilaine (Juvigné)

Juvigné

The Vilaine rises in Mayenne, in the commune of Juvigné, at the place called La Source, at an altitude of 173 metres. Wikipedia first describes it as an insignificant stream, formed by the waters of the Étang-Neuf. The river is 224 kilometres long (Écomusée du pays de Rennes) and flows into the ocean after Rennes and Redon. The name is puzzling. According to a popular belief, a bath in the river changed the appearance of ‘vilaines’ young girls; Wikipedia adds that, according to other accounts, their tears formed the spring. It specifies that these romanticised explanations were mostly invented in the 19th century, and the Écomusée links the belief to the first centuries of the Christian era: the two sources do not agree on how old this tale is. Both also mention a more probable Gaulish origin, linked to a water goddess (Wikipedia: *Vicinnonia; the Écomusée: Visegnognia). Finally, Wikipedia cites a 3rd-century dedication to Marti Vicinno, which would link the river to the god Mars. These are hypotheses, not certainties.

Getting there: At the place called La Source (OpenStreetMap marker ‘La Source de la Vilaine’, Le Petit Thuré, Juvigné). Coordinates taken from this marker; access and condition of the site not verified.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound