Laval is a commune in the Mayenne department in north-western France.
It lies on the threshold of Brittany and on the border between Normandy and Anjou. Its citizens are called Lavallois.
Laval Economy
The town is historically a manufacturer of fine linens, but there are also foundries. Laval is also home to the Laval and Mayenne Technology Park, where firms working in electronics, computing and peripherals, food technology, veterinary pharmaceuticals, virtual reality, audiovisual productions, patents, marketing and a resource centre are all to be found in modern buildings.
It is also an important centre for the dairy industry and produces cheeses, ultra-high-temperature processing milk, and yoghurt.
There is a market in the town centre every Tuesday and Saturday, held near the Palais de Justice.
The Gare de Laval railway station offers connections with Le Mans, Rennes, Paris and several regional destinations.
Laval Geography
Laval is located on the River Mayenne in the région called the Pays de la Loire in north-west central France (around the Loire Valley). It is the centre of an urban area of about 110,000 inhabitants.
Climate: Laval has a cool oceanic climate, and it rains all year, with 155 rainy days per year. Because of the high humidity, temperatures tend to feel colder than in the neighbouring departements. Summers are warm and rather sunny, winters are cold, very rainy and windy. Springs and autumns are cool, rainy, and usually overcast.