Pays de la Loire

As the name suggests, this region is Loire country and the mighty river cuts the region into east to west. The Loire valley is central to the region’s economy.

Here you’ll find castles, abbeys, parks, and the fascinating troglodyte caves - home to prehistoric cave dwellers. Many of the caves now serve as wine cellars, museums and art galleries. A lazy boat trip down the river to see its riverside towns - such as Saumur or Le Thoureil - is essential.

The region’s Atlantic coast has sandy beaches and a very mild climate making it an ideal tourist destination. For outdoor lovers the coastal area features thousands of footpaths and a cycle route along the coast; inland is a rich countryside.

The capital of the region, Nantes, is well known as the birthplace of Jules Verne, while the other major city of the region, Le Mans, is better known for its automobile connections!