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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! |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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! |
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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| News |
What's happening in Loire (Western)? |
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| 05/06/2008 Portrayal of France in National weekend travel sections 31stMay&1st June |
A summary of how France has been covered in the national newspaper's weekend Travel sections.
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| 26/01/2010 Combined press releases from the Family France press lunch, 20th Janury 2010 |
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| 12/05/2009 Summary of the national newspaper's travel sections, 9th&10th May 2009 |
Cahors, eating your way around Paris, Cannes, spa holidays, luxury villages in Languedoc and some unusual festivals.
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| 14/12/2009 Summary of the national newspaper travel sections, 12&13 December |
Lots and lots of ski coverage, including discounting by some operators for Christmas weeks. Shopping trips to Lille, original weekend breaks and some ideas for New Year
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| 14/10/2008 Portrayal of France in the Travel sections of the weekends national newspapers |
This site gets Website of the Week in The Times, lots of ski coverage, camping, price wars, the emerging role of the travel agent and much more
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| Le Mans 24 Hour Race |
| June (Annual) |
Le Mans
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| 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.
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| Vendée Globe |
| November |
Les Sables d'Olonne
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| 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. |
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| La Nuit des Chimères |
| July through to September |
Le Mans
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| 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. |
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| La Folle Journée |
| January - February |
Nantes, Loire - Atlantique
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| 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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| Tour de France |
| July (Annual) |
Throughout France
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| The Tour de France is the world's main cycle race. Started in 1903, it is a 23-day, 21-stage bicycle road race usually run over more than 3,500 kilometres (2,200 mi). The route, which varies from year to year, traces a circuit around most areas of France, and often passes into neighbouring countries. |
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| Offers |
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Latest Special Offers on Villas and apartments
See our latest special offers on villas, apartments, holiday villages in many regions of France
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Special Offers on Luxury Hotel Barge Holidays!
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More Offers on French Holidays
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| Holiday Options |
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Accommodation
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Loire accommodation.
Widest range of accommodation for Loire with PV-Holidays
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Hotel du Golf International La Baule from £155 for 3 nights' B&B and 2 rounds of golf
Superb onsite golf from £155 per person for 3 nights' B&B and 2 rounds of golf. Save £75
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Top quality villas and holiday homes in the Vendee
Just France offer a fantastic range of coastal and inland self-catering properties, many with pools.
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Vendee holiday homes
Modern holiday village with swimming and paddling pool and kids club only 650m to beach, shops, bars
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Kelair Campotel
KelAir Campotel operates a popular Family Holiday Programme to France, Italy & Spain. Only KelAir Campotel you will not pay for the extras. We provide decking, large gas BBB's, air conditioning where applicable as standard.
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Brittany Ferries Holidays
Fantastic value ferry inclusive boating holidays in Aquitaine, Brittany, Poitou and Western Loire.
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More Holiday Options ... |
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Eurocamp - A selection of our parcs 2009
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Bowhills - 2010
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Hoseasons - villas & Apartments with Pools
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French Travel Service - Paris & France 2010
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Canvas Holidays 2010
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Spring Harvest Holidays - 2010
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Brittany Ferries Holidays - Golf Breaks 2010
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Carisma Holiday - 2010
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Golf Planet Holidays - 2009
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VFB - France Cottage & Villa Holidays
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HF Holidays - Walking & Outdoor Holidays 2010
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Siblu - Summer 2010
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Lagrange France Summer 2010
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Matthews France 2010
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Inghams - Just France 2010
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Locaboat Holidays 2010
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Susi Madron's - Cycling for Softies
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Belle France - Walking and Cycling in France
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Alan Rogers - The Family Selection 2009
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Brittany Ferries Holidays - Apartments
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