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Loire (Western)

Loire Valley (Western)/ Pays de la Loire

Western Loire/Pays de la Loire is made up of five départements (counties): Loire-Atlantique, Maine-et-Loire, Mayenne, Sarthe and Vendée.

The principal cities are :  Nantes, Angers, Le Mans, La Roche-sur-Yon with many other cities ideal for city breaks: Les Sables d'Olonne, Saint Jean de Monts, Pornic.


The Western Loire offers an endless supply of travel experiences, from fields of golden wheat and miles of beaches to lush green woodland. Discover the spirit of the Atlantic with a visit to the region’s fine sandy beaches and rugged coastline. Visit its sheltered creeks, fishing ports and marinas, or admire the shimmering salt marshes.

Along with its beaches, inviting sea and high tides, the coast offers the ideal location for yachting, surfing and kayaking. Discover a whole raft of ways to enjoy the pure, refreshing air and the invigorating sensation of the sea.

Don't miss the opportunity to explore the wild and regal River Loire, which opens onto the Atlantic Ocean. Rich in tributaries and waterways, such as the Erdre, Oudon, Mayenne, Sarthe, and the Nantes-Brest canal, the Loire boasts a vast network of river basins. Pleasure cruisers now navigate the peaceful waterways to sample the delights offered by the region’s small towns of character, villages and châteaux. So if you’re looking for a little peace and tranquillity, simply let yourself go with the flow!


Sailing in Loire (Western)

Novice and experienced sailors alike will find ideal conditions in the Pays de la Loire for the full practice of sailing in absolute safety. From La Baule to Sables-d'Olonne, the wide bays, creeks and islands lend themselves wonderfully to the practice of sailing.


Beach Towns

Nice Surprises at Saint-Nazaire: A charming port of call. In the shade of the liners, this town is lively and passionate. What to see: the Chantiers de l'Atlantique, the Espadon (the only fleet submarine in France that is open to visitors), Airbus and Escal'Atlantic – a new kind of museum on board a transatlantic liner – and experience the ambience of the great ships of yesteryear.

Mayenne
If you are after unspoilt countryside, rich cultural heritage or outdoor adventure, the Mayenne departement/county is the place to be.  

Drink in Loire (Western)

As Beautiful to Look at as they are Good to Taste. As you go up the Loire, discover the wines of Anjou and Saumur. This is the most widespread vineyard in Val du Loire, with 20,000 perfectly temperate hectares. This patchwork of lands offers great diversity.

Saint-Jean-de-Monts

Children first: An exceptional wooded environment, 20 km of safe, gently sloping beaches, lifeguards… This is the one for the kids! Although it is a child-friendly 'Station Kid' par excellence, there's plenty for adults as well: golf, thalassotherapy, fishing, bike rides or picnics beneath the pine trees – make yourself some great holiday memories!

Horse and Pony Riding in Loire (Western)


In the forest, through the vineyards, along the coastline or the banks of the Loire are just some of the discoveries awaiting you. The local natural environment lends its paths and trails to horseback riders.


Golf in Loire (Western)


By the sea, or in the countryside. On the Atlantic coast at Saint-Jean-de-Monts, Sables d'Olonne, Pornic or La Baule; or else at the heart of the country valleys, like Saumur, Laval or Sablé-sur-Sarthe the 27 golf courses of the Pays de la Loire await you.


Food in Loire (Western)

The Delights of the Sea: A whole ocean on a platter

Highlights include traditionally farmed mussels from the pilings in the bay of the Aiguillon, typically coloured “Vendée Atlantique”, Portuguese oysters, found at the port du Bec, anchovies and sardines from Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and La Turballe and prawns and clams you can catch for yourself on the beach.


Coastal Areas in Loire (Western)

Get that rejuvenated feeling in Western Loire.
Come and discover the blue gold of the Atlantic in Western Loire! It will truly add invigoration to your holiday. Whether you want to spend time with your family or friends, or just be on your own, come and take advantage of the thousands of water sporting activities that the exceptional geography of our coastline offers.

Health and Wellbeing in Loire (Western)

Thalassotherapy: an ocean of well-being. From La Baule to Sables-d’Olonne, the six thalassotherapy centres of the Pays de la Loire pamper your body and shape up your spirit. In search of a break that is both healthy and fun? Each treatment programme is geared to your own needs and preferences.


Anjou, at the Heart of the Loire Valley

The Loire River, which passes through Anjou became a part of the first stretch of any river on the planet to be declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Experiences by boat, the Loire looks at its very best along this 80 mile stretch.

Boating in Loire (Western)

An Unforgettable Holiday. Hire a boat for the family, as a couple or between friends, and wander over 375 km of navigable waterways. No need for a licence to drive these boats, which have all the home comforts: spacious cabins, bathrooms with WC and shower, fitted corner kitchen, and a sundeck to make the most of both sunshine and countryside.


Produce of Loire (Western)

The salt marshes of the Presqu'île de Guérande. White Gold: Classified as one of the 100 ‘Sites of Remarkable Taste’ in France, this magical place, where seawater circulates through a complex network of canals and basins, is the pride of Guérande, and has furnished its wealth since the iron age.

Cycling in Loire (Western)

Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or a leisure rider, the Western Loire has plenty of surprises in store for you. All along the sign-posted bike trail, you can marvel at the stunning Loire countryside, visit chateaux and abbeys, stroll through quaint little towns and cycle through vineyards.


Walking in Loire (Western)

The Loire River is a natural and free guide for discovering the biggest UNESCO World Heritage site in France: 280 km between Sully-sur-Loire, in the Loiret, and Chalonnes-sur-Loire, in Anjou.

Pornic

This pretty fishing port is built on rock, and has everything going for it: beaches and creeks, quays and boats, a castle, little narrow streets criss-crossed by flights of steps and an indoor market. It's full of life and activity both day and night.


Art in Loire (Western)


The Musée Tatin at Cossé-le-Vivien. Robert Tatin was an artist and traveller. He created a sculptural, symbolist and naïve world that was a reflection of his life and his personality. Peopled with fascinating statues - giant evocations of Easter Island under Chinese and Aztec influences, this strange home invites you to enter the extraordinary imagination of its creator, the unclassifiable artist who created this museum in 1969.


Les Sables-d'Olonne

Les Sables-d'Olonne: The world tour starts here. This is the most famous of Vendée's beaches. Home of the mythical high seas race, the Vendée Globe – Les Sables-d'Olonne marina is also home to over a thousand vessels.

History in Loire (Western)


Fontevraud Abbey was founded in the 12th Century, and is Europe’s largest set of monastic buildings. A triumphant testimony to a rich past, it offers visitors a superb set of architectural styles.


Vineyard Tourist Trail in Loire (Western)

40,000 hectares of ‘dégustation’: The skills of the vine were introduced by the Romans, and are now one of the main assets of the Pays de la Loire.

Water Sports in Loire (Western)
A Whole Range of Sports. All of your nautical desires can be satisfied on our coast: Sea-Kayaking near the rocky creeks of Piriac and Pornic, wave skiing at Sables-d'Olonne, kite surfing at La Baule, diving off the Île d'Yeu, waterskiing at Noirmoutier, jet skiing at Pornichet. With such a wide choice, there's no excuse for inactivity.

The land of the Mushroom Caves

Three-quarters of the national production of the ‘Champignon de Paris’ is cultivated in the tufa galleries of the Saumur area. The climatic qualities of these places, whose temperature and hygrometry are constant throughout the year, combined with local savoir-faire, have made these caves the kingdom of mushroom-growers.

Sarthe
Sarthe offers a lot of open-air activities. The towns and villages bring together in one site a powerful historic and architectural heritage, while the many museums provide us with the keys necessary for understanding. Gourmets and connoisseurs of the good things in life will also, in one mouthful, be able to savour the wealth of the terroir and gastronomy of Sarthe.

Vendée

The Vendée throws open its protected natural sites. Between rocky escarpments and beaches of divinely fine sand. Both along the coast and inland, a living heritage awaits your exploration – castles, humbler dwellings, tourist sites. Thanks to its position between land and sea the Vendée offers a comprehensive range of traditional flavours. A comprehensive network of walking and riding trails and of cycle paths covers the length of the coast and the hinterland.


Loire-Atlantique

The Loire Atlantique departement/county boasts a magnificient coast and offers many additional interests to its visitors such as : picturesque fishing ports, canals and thatched cottages, forests, parks...

Maine-et-Loire / Anjou
The landscapes of the Anjou département/county are ideal for every kind of outing. Walk the GR 3 footpath along the Loire Valley (a UNESCO heritage site), bike through the vineyards, ride on horseback through the forests, or float along the streams and rivers on longboats, canoes and kayaks. The highways and byways of Anjou will take you to delighful views over the countryside.  

Angers in Pays de la Loire

Not to be missed in the Loire (western)

A land of water traversed by the Loire, the region is bathed in the north by the spray of the Atlantic Ocean. While Saint-Nazaire is an important merchant navy port, Nantes is the regional capital, and Saumur, Le Mans and Angers offer visitors a cultural heritage dominated by Gothic art and the Renaissance.

Nantes in Pays-de-la-Loire

 

Matthews Holidays
We offer self-catering mobile homes on some of the best campsites by the sea in France. We specialise in having detailed knowledge of all our campsites and local areas, to enable us to give an excellent personal service unmatched by call centres and internet sites.

Spring Harvest Holidays
Four star holiday park near Vendée beaches. Optional activities for all ages with Christian emphasis

Carisma Holidays
ONLY WITH CARISMA can you step out of a luxury holiday home onto a superb, sandy private beach. CARISMA specialise in holidays on small, family-run, French campsites.

siblu holidays
Siblu is France's leading family holiday provider, with outstanding parcs in a variety of locations

Alan Rogers Guides & Travel
Pitch reservations & mobile home holidays across France & Spain. Pay at-the-gate prices, with a small, one-off admin fee and we'll organise it all for you. Free Child Places and Special Offers available. Alan Rogers Guides have been the market leading campsite guides since 1968. Also Camping Cheque programme (www.campingcheque.co.uk) for low season touring with savings up to 60%

Eurocamp Independent
Eurocamp Independent provides a total holiday service, ideal for families taking their caravan or motorhome to France for the first time. Enjoy an unrivalled ‘with you all the way’ service with 85 superb campsites to choose from.

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Loire (Western)

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Le Mans 24 Hour Race
June (Annual)

Le Mans

The Le Mans 24 Hour Race (24 Heures du Mans) was borne out of the Grand Prix series as an exciting addition to the world's racing calendar. When the green flag drops, competitors begin an exhilarating 24-hour race at the famous Le Mans circuit.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Vendée Globe
November

Les Sables d'Olonne

Adventurous souls and adrenalin junkies will be hoisting their sails during the Vendée Globe. This round the world sailing race attracts only the bravest seafarers, since it's for solo sailors only with no stopovers.

La Nuit des Chimères
July through to September

Le Mans

 On summer evenings in the cobbled streets of the illuminated old quarter of Le Mans, visitors are treated to a parade of characters from the pages of history as the town organises musical and theatrical nocturnal walks.


International Floralies
8 May - 19 May 2009

Nantes - Pays de la Loire

Created in 1956, Nantes International Floralies is a prestigious flower exhibition with more than 200 participants exposing their work in the stunning surroundings of La Beaujoire Park on the River Erdre.

La Folle Journée
January - February

Nantes, Loire - Atlantique

In fact lasting five days, this mad musical marathon sees some 2,000 artists descend on the city to perform in more than 250 concerts.

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