Pays De La Loire region
The Pays de la Loire is most famous for the many fabulous chateaux along the river valley. They certainly are truly impressive and a visit to this region should be on the holiday list for every francophile. The region also produces fabulous wines and the extensive vineyards offer guided tours, tastings and, of course, the opportunity to buy. The region has good communication links with the UK and the rest of France with direct flights from the UK to Nantes, the TGV runs through the region and there are several motorway routes to choose from all the main channel ports. The famous 24 hour motor race is held at Le Mans which is also a lovely city with many interesting buildings. The south of the region is known for its wonderful climate and many seaside resorts.
Accommodation is as varied as the landscape and ranges from city centre hotels through country auberges to self catering gites and apartments. Some of the area's chateaux also offer accommodation and some of these are furnished with fabulous style and taste. This is a region with something to offer everyone and you are sure of a warm welcome and a memorable holiday.
The Departments
The Loire-Atlantique is, as its name suggests, where the mighty River Loire meets the sea. The capital of the department, Nantes, is the fourth largest port in France and a busy cosmopolitan city with an airport, excellent shopping, hotels, bars and many sea food restaurants. The vineyards of the department cover over 13,000 hectares and include many famous wines. They offer guided tours. On the coast are huge salt marshes producing tonnes of sea salt every year. There are also beaches to enjoy. There are many sites of architectural and historic interest to be explored.
The department of Maine-et-Loire has many historic sites to visit including the biggest Neolithic burial chamber in Europe at Bagneux. There are also many Roman sites to enjoy. Saumur has a stunning chateau overlooking the river. Also here is the national riding school, the Cadre Noir, who hold amazing displays open to the public. There are extensive vineyards. The country is varied and beautiful. The capital, Angers is a lovely town with many interesting places to explore. The town is famous for the drink Cointreau which originates from here.
The Mayenne is a peaceful rural department to the north of the region. The countryside is green with rolling hills and valleys. There are many walking and cycling paths to be enjoyed as well as pretty towns and villages to explore. Joublain has a large Roman site open to the public which is well worth a visit. Also of interest is the medieval town of Craon, where the chateau has "chambres d'hotes" on offer as well as wonderful gardens covering 40 hectares.
The Sarthe is named after the river which flows through it. This department is well known to motor racing enthusiasts who visit the 24 hour race at Le Mans which is a town of considerable historic interest with some of the best preserved Roman walls in Europe. There are many superb chateaux to visit in the department many dating from the 12th - 15th centuries. There are more vineyards in the department with attendant attractions. It is possible to hire boats and cruise along the river Sarthe to see the beautiful countryside at a gentle pace.
The coastline of the Vendee, which stretches for 250 kms, is famous for its extensive sandy beaches with several resort towns to choose from. There are many activities available from sand yachting to diving. In the north of the department are vast wildfowl sanctuaries with wonderful opportunities for bird watchers. The climate in the Vendee is superb, with more sunshine hours than the Cote d'Azur. It is a department with something to offer everyone.
The Pays de la Loire is most famous for the many fabulous chateaux along the river valley. They certainly are truly impressive and a visit to this region should be on the holiday list for every francophile. The region also produces fabulous wines and the extensive vineyards offer guided tours, tastings and, of course, the opportunity to buy. The region has good communication links with the UK and the rest of France with direct flights from the UK to Nantes, the TGV runs through the region and there are several motorway routes to choose from all the main channel ports. The famous 24 hour motor race is held at Le Mans which is also a lovely city with many interesting buildings. The south of the region is known for its wonderful climate and many seaside resorts.
Accommodation is as varied as the landscape and ranges from city centre hotels through country auberges to self catering gites and apartments. Some of the area's chateaux also offer accommodation and some of these are furnished with fabulous style and taste. This is a region with something to offer everyone and you are sure of a warm welcome and a memorable holiday.The Departments
The Loire-Atlantique is, as its name suggests, where the mighty River Loire meets the sea. The capital of the department, Nantes, is the fourth largest port in France and a busy cosmopolitan city with an airport, excellent shopping, hotels, bars and many sea food restaurants. The vineyards of the department cover over 13,000 hectares and include many famous wines. They offer guided tours. On the coast are huge salt marshes producing tonnes of sea salt every year. There are also beaches to enjoy. There are many sites of architectural and historic interest to be explored.
The department of Maine-et-Loire has many historic sites to visit including the biggest Neolithic burial chamber in Europe at Bagneux. There are also many Roman sites to enjoy. Saumur has a stunning chateau overlooking the river. Also here is the national riding school, the Cadre Noir, who hold amazing displays open to the public. There are extensive vineyards. The country is varied and beautiful. The capital, Angers is a lovely town with many interesting places to explore. The town is famous for the drink Cointreau which originates from here.
The Mayenne is a peaceful rural department to the north of the region. The countryside is green with rolling hills and valleys. There are many walking and cycling paths to be enjoyed as well as pretty towns and villages to explore. Joublain has a large Roman site open to the public which is well worth a visit. Also of interest is the medieval town of Craon, where the chateau has "chambres d'hotes" on offer as well as wonderful gardens covering 40 hectares.The Sarthe is named after the river which flows through it. This department is well known to motor racing enthusiasts who visit the 24 hour race at Le Mans which is a town of considerable historic interest with some of the best preserved Roman walls in Europe. There are many superb chateaux to visit in the department many dating from the 12th - 15th centuries. There are more vineyards in the department with attendant attractions. It is possible to hire boats and cruise along the river Sarthe to see the beautiful countryside at a gentle pace.
The coastline of the Vendee, which stretches for 250 kms, is famous for its extensive sandy beaches with several resort towns to choose from. There are many activities available from sand yachting to diving. In the north of the department are vast wildfowl sanctuaries with wonderful opportunities for bird watchers. The climate in the Vendee is superb, with more sunshine hours than the Cote d'Azur. It is a department with something to offer everyone.