Lands of the Loire
Lands of the Loire (Pays de la Loire) is the region of France encompassing the western departments of Mayenne, Sarthe, Maine-et-Loire, Vendée, and Loire-Atlantique.
Besides many scenic and rural areas, including vineyards producing the dry muscadet wine, the region is also known for its major industrial cities — Nantes and St Nazaire.
Nestled at the confluence of the Loire and Erdre rivers, Nantes is a surprising city in the Loire-Atlantique department, elegantly oscillating between past and modernity. The old town is a pretty place, where you can discover many historic buildings. The Gothic Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul have a beautiful tuffeau interior and is lit by a huge 25-metre-tall stained-glass window, dedicated to the Breton saints. It is here, in the right arm of the transept, that the tomb of Francis II is located. The 15th-century Castle of the Dukes of Brittany stands at the heart of the old town, which earned Nantes the moniker of City of Dukes. It was once a fortress, as evidenced by the moat and towers with Breton machicolations. Nantes has many green spaces such as the Japanese garden and its waterfalls, located on the Ile de Versailles.
Loire Atlantique
Loire Atlantique has long rocky and sandy coastline, including the coast dotted with resorts and known as the Côte de Jade, because of the green color of the sea. The coastal areas of the region boast a number of popular tourist resorts such as Les Sables d’Olonne in Vendée, which is said to have one of the finest stretches of sand in France. Vendée is a popular destination for tourists, with over 200 km (125 miles) of sandy beaches and two offshore islands- Noirmoutier and Yeu. Cultural and 'green' tourism predominate inland. The coast is linked with woods, including the Fort d’Olonne, and the department is bordered, north and south, with extensive salt marshes which are popular for bird watching. Vendée’s architectural heritage is evident in its impressive châteaux, abbeys, and fine churches. Tourism is now the premier industry of the department.
Maine et Loire
Maine et Loire, known locally as the Val d’Anjou, was formed mainly from the historic province of Anjou. It is also known as the 'valley of the kings' due to its royal past and their legacy of châteaux, abbeys, romantic churches and manor houses which attract millions of tourists each year. The river is surrounded by a broad, fertile plain covered with lush green vegetation and vineyards. Notable fixes included Rosé d’Anjou aoc Saumur — available in sparkling and still varieties. There are also fascinating troglodyte caves with 1000 km of underground tunnels — many converted into wine cellars, art galleries and mushroom farms.
Visiting Lands of the Loire you’ll have the opportunity to try the best-known gastronomic specialties of the region, such as au beurre blanc, rillettes du Mans, rillons, diableries, Loué poultry, muscatel sausages, rillauds d’Anjou, mogettes de Vendée, tourangelle soup.
The yammiest desserts will meet a sweet tooth’s expectations, delicious macaroons, jams, dries apples and pears, shortbreads. And seafood fans will also find plenty to tempt their taste buds on the Pays de la Loire’s Atlantic coast, including Aiguillon mussels, Vendée Atlantique oysters, anchovies, shrimps and prawns, clams, sea bass and turbot. Freshwater fish from the river Loire and its tributaries are often served with a simple beurre blanc sauce, made with butter, wine and shallots.
