Windmill & vineyard near Originals Hotels in Pays Loire-France

Your travel guide to Pays-de-la-Loire

Pays de la Loire, the region of France which covers much of the Loire River valley lies in the western part of the country. It is made up of five departments, including Loire-Atlantique which faces the Bay of Biscay. Since 200, the Loire Valley has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, largely because of the large number of castles and stately homes which overlook its banks. The region's administrative capital is the city of Nantes, close the Loire's estuary.The region is perfect for holidays, weekends or short breaks and offers plenty of activities and attractions. Our hoteliers selected unique experiences that will please anyone traveling to Pays de la Loire.

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PAYS DE LA LOIRE : THE HOTELS

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Pays-de-la-Loire: The best cities

Le Mans

Le Mans is famous for its endurance car races since 1923.

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Nantes

Located in the western portion of France and situated upon the shores of the Loire River, Nantes is a city home to more than 908,000 residents.

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Cholet

Cholet is a large commune situated within the Pays de la Loire Region of France.

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PAYS DE LA LOIRE : BE INSPIRED

What to do, to see, to hear...

Visit

Pays de la Loire offers something for everyone with some great beaches on the Atlantic coast as well as top-quality vineyards and historic towns so it is good for groups with differing tastes.

Relax

The department of Sarthe is a good place to head if you want a rural retreat where you can unwind away from it all in great countryside.

Enjoy

Les Escales is a world music festival that is staged every summer in Saint-Nazaire, in the west of the region.

Taste

Saumur, situated in the Maine-et-Loire department, is a good place to head to if you like sparkling wines because it produces some great ones that rival even Champagnes.

Explore

Protecting the river, the Château d'Angers is a ninth-century castle in the city of Angers which is incredibly well-preserved and well worth a visit.

Play

Le Mans is the place to head if you like sport. Not only is it famous for its 24-hour race, but the city is also well-known in France for its basketball and football teams.

Shop

Laval is a good town to head to if you don't want to experience the bustle of city life but still want lots of shops and amenities on your doorstep. It is in the Mayenne department.

Transports in Pays-de-la-Loire

The regional rail network serving Pays de la Loire is run by TER and locals services run between all of the major population centres. The A11 is the major road which connects the cities of Angers and Nantes. In fact, Nantes and Le Mans are on the express, TGV network which means fast services are available to Paris, Marseilles and Strasbourg. Nantes also has an airport which sees seasonal flights from London.

WHEN TO GO TO PAYS DE LA LOIRE ?

Most tourists head to Pays de la Loire during the French summer holidays, many of them from Paris. The region is also flocked to by people from all over Europe in late August when the annual Angers Film Festivals takes place. In March, one of France's most prestigious hip-hop festivals takes place in the region. Nantes also hosts a big science fiction convention in November, known as Les Utopiales.

WHAT TO DO IN PAYS DE LA LOIRE ?

With so much to do in the region, no one spending their holiday in Pays de la Loire will get bored. Discover great attractions and entertaining things to do – all recommended by our local experts, our hoteliers.

TRACK RACING

Anyone interested in track racing will find a day spent at Le Mans is worth it. The circuit here can be driven so long as you book in advance.

HOT AIR BALLOONING

Hot air ballooning is offered in several towns in Pays de la Loire including Angers where the views below are simply stunning.

SAINT-NAZAIRE HERITAGE MUSEUM

Saint-Nazaire's Heritage Museum is a good placce to find out about the region's seafaring history and traditions.

The best restaurants in Pays-de-la-Loire

Les Menestrals is a fantastic restaurant that serves local produce in a bistro as well as a gastronomic section which is set aside for fine dining. Either way, you can enjoy superbly prepared food in a setting that is a stone's throw from the Loire River and Saumur's elegant castle.