After having passed to the other side of the Loire following the disaster at Cholet, the Vendéens had stationed in Varages, where a war counsel was held on 19 October.

He declined saying his own wound was too serious, and offered that Henri de La Rochejacquelein were named chief general instead.

Talmont, who owned much land in Maine, offered to take Laval where he said his influence in the region was strong enough to start an uprising of a few tens of thousands of men.

All these easily obtained victories reboosted Vendéen moral, and the population of Laval had greeted them well, offering supplies and provisions.

During that time the Army of the West had crossed the Loire at Angers and Nantes on 22 October, leaving Nicolas Haxo to fight Charette.