Pays de la Loire

The Pays de la Loire, a vast region with no shortage of activities and places to visit! We’ve made sure to give you our favorites in this article!

Angers is one of the best-known towns in the Pays de la Loire region. And with good reason, since it’s a fortified city, don’t be fooled by its apparent old age: it’s a city where all generations rub shoulders. We particularly recommend a visit to the Château d’Angers, an incredible marvel.

Then there’s Le Mans, particularly famous for its motor racing circuit. Le Mans is also known for its incredible old quarter, also known as the Cité Plantagenêt. Discover this district of cobbled streets and charming houses. You won’t regret it!

We also recommend a stopover in Laval. It’s just a few kilometers from Le Mans. A charming town on the banks of the Mayenne. Take a stroll through the city center and discover the Parc de la Perrine. Located right in the center of town, it’s a veritable paradise of greenery. You may even spot a few tenants… We’ll let you be surprised!

Finally, to round off this city tour, make a stop in Nantes. We’d like to take this opportunity to share a little personal anecdote with you: a visit to the Machines de l’Iles has the power to amaze everyone, children and adults alike. We’ve experienced it for ourselves. Indeed, the Ile des Machines is a must-see in Nantes. Take the time to discover it.

Pays de la Loire is a family-friendly region. Numerous theme parks are available for young and old alike.

The La Flèche zoo is located in the Sarthe department of France. It is also ranked 5th best park in France for its respect for animals and its recent infrastructure. The Doué la Fontaine zoo is also considered a Biopark. It is located in the Maine et Loire department. It is the 2nd largest animal park in Europe.

Continuing in the park spirit, there’s the must-see Parc du Puy du fou. This is a theme park. Numerous shows spanning the ages are on view. We particularly recommend the Vikings show and the Cinescénie show, which takes place at nightfall on the park’s lake.

Or take a trip to Terra botanica near Angers. A plant journey through a preserved ecosystem. Soothing and enriching for the whole family.

We begin this historical section with Fontevraud Abbey. One of the largest religious and medieval cities in France. It is set in 13 hectares of gardens. It’s all open to visitors! And for history buffs, you can even see the tombs of Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart.

After visiting the abbey, you’re not far from Saumur and its château. It has been converted into a museum and is well preserved. In fact, it’s on the list of Châteaux de la Loire. Let yourself be seduced by its intact, majestic architecture.

The fortified town of Guérande is also on our list. A stopover in this medieval town, one of the best preserved in France, is a must. Take the opportunity to visit its salt marshes, museums and Notre Dame-la-Blanche church. We also recommend a visit to one of the town’s small craft stores. As a great lover of gastronomy, we strongly encourage you to eat there!

Finally, to end this journey back in time, visit Sainte Suzanne. It’s an extremely well-preserved medieval town where you can visit its keep, castle, old houses and museums. It’s a great place to take a stroll.

We start with a must-see in the Pays de la Loire region: the island of Noirmoutier. A natural sanctuary just off the coast. Take a stroll through the Polder de Sébastopol nature reserve. But there’s so much more to discover, including the salt marshes, the château and the fishermen’s cottages.

Then take a stroll around Les Sables d’Olonne. This is one of the best-known towns in the Vendée. For those in the know, it’s home to the start and finish of the Vendée Globe. Enjoy a stroll along its sandy beaches or through its narrow streets. We particularly recommend the Ile Penotte district. And of course, don’t forget to try some langoustines with mayonnaise, for a complete immersion in the region!

Finally, in the Pays de la Loire region, you can also discover the Bay of La Baule. In fact, it’s the longest beach in Europe. Stretching for almost 9km, between Le Pouliguen and Pornichet, the Bay of La Baule attracts many visitors. La Baule is known as a chic place to be. And for good reason, with its many gourmet restaurants and casino.

Our tour of the Pays de la Loire ends here. We hope you enjoy discovering this region as much as we did, and we look forward to seeing you in the next one!
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