The Loire River, the rugged Atlantic coast and the sea marshes of the Pays de la Loire make this one of France's most scenic areas. Upscale resorts sit near wild swamp areas, and quaint French towns surrounded by lush countryside line the Loire River. Elegant mansions and abbeys dot the landscape, a testament to the area's long history.
The region is divided into five "departments" or counties: the popular coastal region Vendée, the Loire River delta Loire-Atlantique and the inland counties of Maine Et Loire, Mayenne and Sarthe.
The Vendée department is the most popular for holiday goers. Its long sandy beaches and resort areas are ideal for boaters, surfers and beach lovers. Though most visitors to the Pays de la Loire are drawn to the shore, inland towns like Nantes, Le Mans and Angers (all river towns) are charming places as well. The Nantes cathedral is generally recognized as the area's finest. Fontenay Le Comte, a town whose history dates to 1000 AD, and the castles of Brissac, Lude or Chateau de Craon all give a peek into the area's long history, and Fontevraud Abbaye, the largest monastery in Europe, shows off the region's cultural face. |
