PAYS DE LA LOIRE TOURIST INFORMATION
Tourist information about the individual Pays de la Loire departments of the Vendee, Mayenne, Sarthe, Loire Atlantique and Maine et Loire can be found through every property details page along with tourist information about the local towns, tourist attractions and information about events happening in Pays de la Loire.
PAYS DE LA LOIRE TOURISM
The Pays de la Loire, the region south of Brittany and Normandy stretches to the Atlantic coast of France, dotted with French Gites, holiday homes and holiday rentals ideal for your holiday in France. Pretty little Gites nestling in the Pays de la Loire and holiday homes dotted along the Vendee coast. No wonder Pays de la Loire is a favourite holiday destination for so many lovers of France. If you are looking for holiday rentals in France, the Pays de la Loire and the Vendee is just a few hours drive from the French ports of Cherbourg, Caen and Le Havre.
Pays de la Loire: When one thinks of the Loire, two things immediately come to mind: its river and magnificent châteaux. Often referred to as the " Garden of France", the Pays de la Loire is a land of vineyards, water and rolling green hills with thousands of medieval chateaux scattered liberally across its luxurious landscape. Formerly the playground of kings, princes and the nobility, the Pays de la Loire is still the wealthiest area of France. Tourists can drive along the Loire River's sloping banks enjoying its architectural attributes and famous wines by stopping off at the numerous producers on route.
Named after the river that runs through its heart, the Pays de la Loire is one of the most famous areas in western France and one of the most popular vacation destinations. At 1020km in length from its source in the Massif Central to its destination in the Atlantic Ocean, the Loire is France's longest river. Once an important trading route, few barges and old-fashioned fishing boats survive on its clear flowing waters today. But the scenery is as enchanting as it has always been green valleys fringed with meadows and woods, sand banks and islands teeming with migratory birds and of course hundreds of châteaux.
Chambord, the largest of all the Loire Valley castles is a magnificent Renaissance edifice, built by François I, it is set in magnificent grounds and hunting preserve which can be toured by horse drawn carriage. Close by, is the beautifully furnished Château of Cheverny which can be admired from the ground or from the air in one of the captive balloons available on site. And one of the most exhilarating ways to experience the region is from the slow-motion heights of a hot air balloon. Flights operate all year-round, weather permitting, from several sites along the Loire Valley. A one hour flight with champagne at the end may set you back around £160 per person, but an aerial view of this fairytale landscape is worth the once-in-a-lifetime treat. For those with a passion for all things air-borne, a visit to the town of Amboise is a must. Here you can see Leonardo da Vinci's famous flying machines on display.
Amboise, huddles under the shadow of its impressive royal castle, Amboise is a pretty town with white stone houses dating from the 15th century. Also of interest is the Cbs Lucé, the former residence of Leonardo da Vinci. A few miles away, the Château of Chenonceaux, also called the Ladies Castle, has a famous viewing gallery, built by one of France's great Queens, from which to admire an impressive view of the Cher River. Entering it is like stepping back in time. Originally built as fortresses in the Middle Ages, its castles, hunting lodges and manor houses were gradually converted into lavish pleasure palaces during the Renaissance period.
Some of the best known châteaux are Chéverny, Chaumont and Château de Blois, the latter being regularly lit up like a luminous fantasy during the regular sound and light shows held there. Unlike many parts of France, where such residences are now nothing more than lavish museums, many of the Loire châteaux are still used as family homes. Some double up as Bed and Breakfast accommodation or are let as self-catering holiday homes. So if you've ever dreamed of living like a lord or lady, sleeping in a four poster bed and dining beneath portraits of ancestors, now's your chance. Even if your budget cannot run to renting a chateau, the Loire valley is well served with a wonderful selection of manor houses, farmhouses, cottages and Gites providing economic holiday rentals.
Narrow cobbled streets, half- timbered houses and ornately carved beams are part of everyday life in the regions towns and villages. Le Mans, famous for its racing track, couldn't be more typical. The famous 24-hour car race and "rillettes", a local gastronomic speciality, have, in their different ways, assured the town's reputation. Le Mans is a shop window for progress but it is also knows how to maintain its traditions. While speed rules on the Bugatti racing track, vintage and more recent cars can be found in the Musee de L'Automobile. Enclosed within high gallo-Roman walls outside the town is the 13th century Abbaye de L'Epau and its vast Gothic Cathedral, a monument to the memory of the Plantagenet Kings of England. Do not miss the neighbouring medieval fortress of the Lude. The chateau de Lude is the only chateau in France uniting three architectural styles: medieval fortress, Italian Renaissance and French Classicism. The chateau is open to the public for guided visits.
Towards the north of the region, the town of Laval offers visitors an interesting first-hand explanation of its name. From the Old Bridge spanning the Mayenne River, the 'bâteaux-lavoirs', floating laundrettes of yesteryear, make an arresting sight. But a visit here is not all about reminiscing. Largely flat, fertile and unspoilt, the Loire and Vendée is ideal walking and cycling country. A new cycle trail runs the 600km length of the Loire River.
Laval, an historic art-filled town set on the banks of the Mayenne River, was the birthplace of Douanier Rousseau. Highlights of the town include the medieval castle (transformed into a fine arts museum), the churches Notre Dame des Cordeliers and Notre Dame de Pritz, and the Public School Museum. It's no wonder that the makers of Gérard Dépardieu's 'Cyrano de Bergerac' filmed their Medieval hit here.
The world-famous Cathedral of Chartres, which Rodin called the Acropolis of France, is a remarkable testament to medieval architecture. You must visit the sculpture, the 12' and 13' century stained glass and the collection of ancient musical instruments. The Old Town of medieval cobbled streets, gabled houses and charming footbridges lies at the foot of the cathedral. Places of interest to visit nearby: the castles of Anet and Maintenon.
Known as the market garden of France, the region's fields are an explosion of colour with maize and sunflowers two of the most popular crops. An exception is the Troglodyte Valley, close to Saumur. This strange and eerie underground 'village' was created from tunnels dug along the Loire to extract limestone for building châteaux. Many of these caves are now comfortable homes. You can take a tour or dine in a troglodyte restaurant specialising in local delicacies: fouaces (flat bread) and pommes tapées (dried apples). Saumur is France's military and equestrian centre. For nearly two centuries the cavaliers of the re-enactment of Cadre Noir have been the pride and joy of this city. The town's castle, a luxurious residence for the Dukes of Anjou in the Middle Ages and bastion of Protestantism in the 17th century, overlooks the majestic river and seems to watch over the Old Town, one of the most beautiful in the Loire Valley.
Sables-d'Olonne is the best-known of the Vendée resorts, thanks to the fact it is the starting point of the Vendée Globe, the single-handed round-the-world yacht race. Local specialities include enormous, fresh platters of seafood, Vendée ham and goats cheeses all washed down with Muscadet or Saumur Champigny, or an Anjou red. All sorts of water sports are available here, from sailing and sand yachting to scuba diving, surfing, canoeing and kayaking. With so much salt water all around, it was only a matter of time before some enterprising soul decided one day long ago to exploit its natural resources. In danger of dying out, the tradition of salt making was revived in the 1980s and now plays an important role in the local economy. On the salt marshes of the Guérande peninsula and the island of Noirmoutier, this natural mineral is known as 'white gold' and both areas produce some of the finest sea salt in the world. Visitors can not only watch the salt makers working on the marshes, you can also sample the salt they collect. In Guérande, which produces 12,000 tons of salt a year, you are also likely to spot rare birds and plants - the area is an important ecological reserve.
To the south of the Loire, Gros Plant and Muscadet wines are produced. Angers The Maine river flows peacefully at the foot of the imposing Chateau d'Angers, which, together with the towering Cathedral, protects the Old Town and its half-timbered houses houses. Angers is a great benefactor of the arts and is at the forefront of tapestry design. The world largest liqueur, Cointreau, is produced in Angers. Moreover, Anjou boasts a great number of wine producers and chateaux owners offering wine tasting of the extremely diverse local production.
The ancient Roman city of Orléans had its place in history secured by a simple peasant girl, Joan of Arc, in 1429. The 17-year-old virgin warrior defeated the English forces there before marching Charles VII north to Reims to be crowned king of France. Orleans, once France's second largest city and now the vinegar capital of France, a direct result of the region's wine industry, Joan of Arc liberated Orleans from the British in 1429. Each year in May a celebration commemorating her exploits is held; the house in which she stayed during the ten-day siege of Orleans can be visited. Today, the city is a modern metropolis with excellent shopping and a beautiful park, the Parc Floral. where the Loiret, a tributary of the River Loire, has its source.The city also features the Hotel Groslot, a brick and stone Renaissance mansion which served as the Town Hall, and the Gothic Cathedral of St-Croix. Its famous castle has been linked throughout the centuries to the history of the Kings of France. Places of interest to visit in the surrounding area: the Châteaux de Beauregard and Chaumont-sur Loire, which holds a famous International Festival of Parks and Gardens from mid-June through mid-October.
Tours lies at the junction of the rivers Loire and Cher. Tours is a busy university town, the traditional point of departure for exploring the Loire Valley. During the Middle Ages, it was the major pilgrimage site of Europe. Today, the city boasts wonderful Renaissance and neo-classical mansions, clustered around the famous Plumereau Square, fine museums including a collection of craftsmen's masterpieces and the Cathedral of St-Gatien. Famous wine regions nearby include Chinon, Vouvray, Bourgueil. The most interesting sites to visit in the surrounding area are, the châteaux of Azay-IeRideau, which stands on the river, it's reflection like a Walt Disney castle, Villandry, surrounded by Renaissance gardens, Ussé, said to be the original Sleeping Beauty's castle, Langeais and Loches, as well as the fabulous medieval city of Chinon.
As the Loire River runs west towards the Atlantic, the traveller enters a peaceable region of lush countryside, vineyards, long sandy beaches and salt marshes, dotted with many small, undiscovered castles, farmhouses and cottages. Bucolic pleasures are mixed with fascinating cities, stunning artwork and cultural festivities.
The tragic wars in the Vendee in 1793 left a deep mark on the inhabitants of this area of hills and woodlands. Every summer, 800 actors and 50 horsemen stage a dramatic re-enactment of these events for 380,000 spectactors at the Puy du Fou. A permanent heritage centre, the Eco-Museum of the Vendee, complete with period villages has been created around the Chateau of the Puy du Fou. Travel through the centuries at the Puy du Fou Grand Parc and give free rein to your emotions. Tremble as you watch the incredible chariot race in the Gallo-Roman Stadium. Shiver before the Viking attack on the Fortress in the Year 1000 (Le Fort de l'An Mil). Thrill to the beat of the fantastic Battle of the dungeon (Bataille du Donjon), and soar along with the majestic flight of the eagles in the Falconry show (Fauconnerie).
Although the island of Noirmoutier and the Ile d'Yeu are fairly close to each other and both are unspoiled, peaceful and quite different. With its Chateau and abbey, the island of Noirmoutier is linked to the mainland by a bridge. Another approach to the island; at low tide only; is the "Gois", the causeway across the sea. Further to the south and some twenty miles from the mainland, a small granite projection, the Ile d'Yeu, rises from the Atlantic. Accessible by sea and air, the island is dominated by the fortress of Pierre Levee and the 11th century church. Its coastline is rocky, its climate so mild that mimosa and laurel grow abundantly.
