The Pays de la Loire, a vast region with no shortage of activities and places to visit! We have taken care to give you our favourites in this article!

Angers is one of the most famous cities in the Loire region. And for good reason, all fortified, do not be fooled by its apparent age, it is a city where all generations mix. We particularly advise you to visit the Château d’Angers which is an incredible marvel.

Next best known for its motor racing circuit is Le Mans. However, we advise you to get over the preconceived ideas, Le Mans is also its incredible old quarter also known as the Plantagenet City. Discover this district where the streets are paved and the houses are adorable. Go for a walk, you won’t regret it!

We also advise you to stop in Laval. It is located a few kilometres from Le Mans. It is a charming town crossed by the Mayenne river. Take a walk in the city centre and discover the Parc de la Perrine. Located in the centre of the city, it is a real paradise of greenery. Moreover, you will probably be able to see some tenants there… We leave you the surprise!

Finally, to end this city tour, make a stop in Nantes. We take this opportunity to tell you a little personal anecdote, the visit of the Machines de l’Iles has the power to amaze everyone, children and adults alike. We have experienced it. Indeed, the Ile des Machines is a must-see place in Nantes. Take the time to discover it.

The Pays de la Loire can be described as a family region. Many theme parks are available for young and old.

There are two zoological parks, the zoo of La Flèche is located in the department of Sarthe. It is also ranked 5th best park in France for its respect for animals and its recent infrastructures. And the zoo of Doué la Fontaine which is also considered as a Biopark. It is located in the department of Maine et Loire. It is the 2nd largest animal park in Europe.

To continue in the spirit of parks, there is the inevitable Puy du fou park. It is a theme park. Numerous shows from different eras can be seen. We particularly recommend the Vikings show and the Cinescénie show which takes place at nightfall on the park’s lake.

Finally, you can also visit Terra Botanica near Angers. A plant journey through a preserved ecosystem. Very soothing and enriching for the whole family.

We start this historical section with the Abbey of Fontevraud. One of the largest religious and medieval cities in France. It is built on 13 hectares of gardens. Everything can be visited! And for the history buffs you can even see the tombs of Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart.

After visiting the abbey, you will not be far from Saumur and its castle. It has been transformed into a museum and benefits from an excellent conservation. It is part of the list of the Châteaux of the Loire. Let yourself be seduced by its intact and majestic architecture.

The fortified city of Guérande is also on our list. An obligatory stop in this medieval town, one of the best preserved in France. Take the opportunity to visit its salt marshes as well as its museums and the church of Notre Dame-la-Blanche. We also recommend their small craft shops. 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 is an extremely well preserved medieval city where you can visit its keep, its castle, its old houses and its museums. A very nice walk in perspective.

We start with a must-see in the Pays de la Loire: the island of Noirmoutier. A natural sanctuary close to the coast. A little tip from a friend: go for a walk in the Polder de Sébastopol nature reserve. But there are also many other things to discover such as the salt marshes, its castle and its fishermen’s houses.

Then go for a walk in Les Sables d’Olonne. A very famous place in the Vendée. It is the starting and finishing point of the Vendée Globe, for those who know it well. Enjoy a walk on its sandy beaches or in its narrow streets. In this respect, we particularly recommend the Ile Penotte district. And of course, don’t forget to eat langoustines with mayonnaise for a complete immersion in the region!

Finally, in the Pays de la Loire, you can also discover the Bay of La Baule. It is the longest beach in Europe. Stretching over almost 9km, between Le Pouliguen and Pornichet, the bay of La Baule attracts many visitors. La Baule remains a place known for being chic and attracting the beautiful people. And for good reason, many gourmet restaurants and its casino have made it famous.

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 region!
In the meantime, don’t forget to complete your booklet!

The Hauts-de-France region is often misunderstood. A victim of its stereotypes with regard to the North, it contains many surprises and discoveries. So let’s start the 10th stage of this regiontrip without further ado!

If you are a nature lover then you are in the right region 😉 The Sommes bay is one of the most beautiful bays in the world. It especially protects the ecosystem and is home to many species of animals. And if you take the time to walk around the Merquenterre park you can discover a lot of different bird species. In particular, migratory birds that you don’t see everywhere. If you are more of a marine animal, then go for a walk along the Pointe du Hourdel, you will surely see seals!

In the same spirit but offering a different landscape, the Opal Coast comes to mind. There are many tourist towns like Boulogne sur Mer but that’s not all. There are incredible landscapes, fine sandy beaches and the Caps Blanc-Nez and Gris-Nez are breathtaking! For those who love water sports or hiking, this is the place to be!

And to keep with the theme of water activities, here are some good places to go and enjoy them! Kitesurfing in Wimereux, water skiing and jet skiing in Amiens. Or kayaking or canoeing at the Saint-Laurent-Blangy water sports centre.

The Hauts-de-France region has a strong and important historical past. It contains the history of France at different times. Numerous museums and memorial sites can be found throughout the region. Among the most famous is the Ring of Memory. It was built in 2014. The names of the 580,000 soldiers who fell on the battlefield in the Nord Pas de Calais are inscribed on it. This structure finds its originality in its form. It is suspended in the air and cantilevered over a hill.

Then you can visit the Louvres-Lens museum. It has a strong symbolism, that of representing the will of post-industrial reconversion of the Hauts-de-France. Where it was built on a former coal mine, there is all the symbolism. It is a beautiful cultural discovery for all ages.

To continue with the industrial heritage of the region you can also visit the pit n°9-9 bis. It is located in Oignies and includes the pit, the De Clercq garden city and the slag heap 110. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also a good way for new generations to discover a relic of the past when we are now in the era of a particularly modern and connected world.

And this is the end of this historical tour of the region with the Dragon’s Cave. It is one of the most striking museums of the Second World War. Moreover, it is underground and located under the Chemin des Dames, in the Aisne. You will need 1h30 of visit and a coat! It is rather cold underground.

Our tour starts with the Notre Dame Cathedral in Amiens, a must-see. If you are in the Hauts de France you must visit Amiens and its nationally renowned cathedral. To continue with the big cities of the region, we stop in Lille. It is the capital of the Hauts-de-France. Small personal recommendation, go and lose yourself in the old Lille. It is a district full of history, small streets and small shops. It’s a very pleasant walk to discover the city. And on your way, take the opportunity to stop at La Grande Place or at the Hospice Comtesse.

We then move on from the towns to the villages with two unmissable events. Firstly, the village of Gerberoy. It is considered as one of the most beautiful French villages. What makes it special? Its hundreds of rosebushes! It’s original and atypical, that’s why we love it! The second village we are thinking of is a classic, a reference. It is of course Maroilles that we are talking about! Particularly known for its cheese! You can visit a cheese factory or taste some typical dishes! And if you really love the smell, we don’t judge you 😉 you can even bring one (or more) with you!

To conclude this paragraph rich in culture, we tell you about two particularly famous domains in the region. The domain of Compiègne and the famous domain of Chantilly. Let’s discover the first one. Compiègne is a city rich in monuments, historical and tourist sites! The Château de Compiègne must be on your list when you visit the region. For those who are passionate about history, you will discover the residence of Clovis and Napoleon III. It’s no mean feat! And now the famous one through the ages, notably known for its whipped cream which we admit we are crazy about… The Chantilly domain. But it’s not only its whipped cream that the domain is famous for. It is also very well known for its horse races, notably the Prix du Jockey Club and the Prix de Diane. And of course, its castle, completely restored, is a jewel of the region. You can visit it between a whipped cream tasting and a horse race 😉.

A lot of culture, history and memories are condensed in this region but the Hauts-de-France region is not only that. It is also particularly well known Carnivals. One example is the Dunkirk carnival. A crowd of locals always gathers behind the Tambour-Major band for Mardi Gras. In Bailleul, too, there is a spectacular carnival with huge floats.

It is also a culinary repertoire that can make many people jealous. Mussels and chips to be enjoyed during the Lille street market. The ficelle picarde, an emblematic dish of Picardy. Carbonade, Bêtises de Cambrai and the list could go on and on. If you want to eat well, you should go to the Hauts-de-France region 😉.

And it’s also interesting family activities for young and old alike. The Nausicaa site in Boulogne sur Mer will plunge you into the heart of marine life. It is the largest aquarium in Europe and it is particularly well done. Thanks to its marine life awareness programme, you can learn while having fun!

We leave Hauts-de-France with our eyes, our stomachs (😉 ) and our heads full of memories. We hope that this article has made you discover the richness of this beautiful region. Until we meet again next week in another region of France, don’t forget to update your booklet. It is your vision of your region 😊 !