river in northwestern France; its headwaters are west-northwest of Alençon in Forêt de Multonne, Orne département. It flows southward for 121 miles (195 km) to its confluence with the Sarthe above Angers. The combined rivers, called the Maine River (q.v.), flow through Angers into the Loire. The Mayenne is canalized for 73 mi, having 45 dams and locks.