What to Do in Pays de la Loire (France )
What to Do in Pays de la Loire
Let’s explore the best things to do in Pays de la Loire. The list of tourist attractions in Pays de la Loire includes vibrant cities, stunning landscapes, fairytale châteaux, and history.
1. Visit Angers
Located by the river Maine, Angers is a beautiful medieval city to explore, with unique gothic buildings, half-timbered houses, and an impressive château.
In the heart of the town, visit the Château d’Angers, a massive schist and limestone construction built from 1230 onwards. Here, the Dukes of Anjou held court during the 14th and 15th centuries.
This impressive château houses the Apocalypse Tapestry (14th century). Measuring 103 long and 4.5 meters high, it features 71 scenes of the Apocalypse, and it is the largest Medieval tapestry series in the world.
2. The Royal Abbey of Fontevraud
This gothic abbey, unique in many aspects, was founded in 1101 as a mixed-gender monastery placed under a woman’s leadership.
The abbey found favor in the eyes of God and men, including the Counts of Anjou and, notably, Henry II of Plantagenet and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine. She made Fontevraud a royal burial place for the Plantagenets.
One of the main Pays de la Loire attractions and listed UNESCO World Heritage since the year 2000, Fontevraud is today home to a contemporary art center, a stylish hotel, and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Don’t miss the polychrome tombs of the Plantagenets: King Henri II, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabelle of Angouleme, and King Richard Lionheart.
3. Les Machines de l’Ile in Nantes
Nantes, the capital of the region, is an excellent destination for a cultural getaway near Paris. Nantes’ main attraction is Les Machines de l’Ile, a unique project by a group of artists and machinists that consists of an ensemble of quirky machines built in the former naval workshops of Ile de Nantes.
Amongst these machines in Nantes outstands the Giant Elephant, who likes to wander around the Ile de Nantes. This cheeky elephant can carry up to 50 passengers on his back, and he likes to spray people with his trunk!
There’s also the giant Carousel of the Sea Worlds (almost 25m high), an incredible mechanical aquarium of disturbing marine creatures.
We can’t wait to see the company’s latest project, the Heron Tree. When finished, people will be able to wander through the branches of this giant metallic and vegetal tree and meet different creatures living on it.
4. Relaxing Days at Iles d’Yeu and Noirmoutier
Disconnect from the world Iles d’Yeu and Noimoutier, located on the Atlantic coast in the Vendée department. Enjoy their typical landscapes, endless sand beaches, and many outdoor activities for all the family.
Are you feeling hungry? Noirmoutier island is well known for its shellfish and oysters, with their delicate flesh. Taste the islands’ gastronomy, with delicious dishes made with fish – mainly pollack, sea bream, and striped mullet, but also the sole and line sea bass.
5. Pays de la Loire by Bike
The Pays de la Loire geography (mainly flat) and varied landscapes make it ideal for day trips or longer trips by bike.
There is the world-famous Loire à Velo route, which every year attracts more than one million bikers. This 900 km itinerary connects the village of Cuffy, in the region Centre-Val-de-Loire, to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, on the Atlantic coast in the Pays de la Loire. Along the way, expect picturesque villages, magnificent châteaux, and great regional food and wines.
La Vélo Francette is a lesser-known bike route that also crosses the Pays de la Loire. This 600 km bike itinerary from Ouistreham in Normandy to La Rochelle in Nouvelle Aquitaine, crosses the departments of Mayenne, and Maine-et-Loire in the Pays de la Loire. What is more, part of the section Angers-St-Mathurin is shared with the Loire à Velo’s itinerary, so you can always say to have tried both bike routes ????
6. The Marais Poitevin
The Marais Poitevin is a natural area of marshes shared by the regions of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Pays de la Loire. This is the second-largest wetland in France after the Camargue, covering an area of approximately 100,000 hectares.
This artificial landscape developed in the 11th century to mitigate the effects of seasonal rainfall variations is made up of three large groups related to its hydraulic operation: the maritime marsh, the dry marsh, and the wet marsh. The wet marsh, nicknamed the green Venice, owns the label Grand Site de France.
The best way to explore the Marais Poitevin is by sailing the canals on a traditional boat or a kayak. You can also explore the area by bike.
7. Clisson (and Other Picturesque Villages)
The Pays de la Loire is dotted with many picturesque villages, all worth a detour.
Head to Clisson in Loire-Atlantique for a bit of Tuscany in France! This oh-so-romantic town with a medieval chateau was transformed in the 19th century into a town à l’italienne, with architecture inspired by the Tuscan towns.
In the same department, there’s also Le Croisic, with its picturesque port and its unique villas built at the beginning of the seaside tourism in the area. Or Piriac-sur-Mer, a former fishing port, marina, and renowned seaside resort that retains its Breton identity through its heritage and its typical granite architecture.
Have you been to Pornic? Visit the port, formerly known for its trading activity around salt, tiles, and wine, and explore the town’s steep streets, cute shops, and fortified remains.
For something different, head inland to the village of Sainte-Suzanne (Mayenne). This medieval village perched on a rocky peak overlooking the Erve Valley is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, and it has a double-walled enclosure and a rich heritage.
8. Parc Naturel Régional de Brière
The Brière National Park, in the department of Loire-Atlantique, is a large area of marshland, great for birdwatching. Indeed, the Brière is a popular stop-off point for birds migrating between Northern Europe and Africa.
In the past, Brière was a center for peat digging and reed picking. Today, it is a great place for a relaxing getaway, with many outdoor activities like horseriding, hiking, or biking.
You can also explore the park’s canals and islands on a chaland, the typical flat-bottomed boat of the region. These guided visits usually last 2 hours, and they are a great way to learn more about this area and feel the nature.