Contest, Mayenne

Contest is a commune in the Mayenne department in north-western France.

The town is in the center of Lower Maine. Its village is 6 km south-west of Mayenne and 12 km north of Martigné-sur-Mayenne.

The name of the locality is attested in the form Constet in 1207. The place name honors the bishop of Bayeux of the sixth century, Contextus.

Notable Persons

 * Jacques Felix Jan de La Hamelinaye (1769-1861), general, retired to Contest at his retirement.
 * Bertrand Denis (1902 - 1986 in Contest), MP.
 * Louis Rouland (1907-1940), French aviator born in Contest.
 * Jean Yanne (1933-2003), actor, humorist, director. Born Roger-Jean Gouyé, from a family of clog makers who in the eighteenth century lived in the forest of Mayenne. His grandfather René-Jean Gouillet was born in Contest on 13 March 1789, and died in Fougères on 11 October 1855.