11 Best Things to Do in Pays de la Loire
What is Pays de la Loire Most Famous For?
The best things to do in Pays de la Loire, a picturesque region in western France, encompass exploring its diverse landscapes, indulging in cultural experiences and savouring its rich cuisine. Named after the mighty Loire River, the region presents a wide range of landscapes, from the granite coast of the southern part of Brittany to the marsh of Poitou to the quaint countryside of Maine. Its capital, Nantes, boasts a magnificent castle ripe for exploration and a vibrant food culture.
Pays de la Loire is a popular place, with something for history buffs, seafood fanatics, wine enthusiasts and nature lovers. From castles and zoos to vineyards and white-sand beaches, Pays de la Loire is a great region to explore.
What are the best things to do in Pays de la Loire?
1. Cité Plantagenet in Le Mans
A journey through time and history
Ideal para: História, Foto
Cité Plantagenet is the well-preserved old town of Le Mans, the capital city of the Maine rural province. The area is surrounded by a Roman wall and features narrow cobbled streets, in which you’ll find Saint-Julien de Mans Cathedral, gothic mansions, timber buildings, quaint restaurants and arts and craft boutiques. The old town was entirely renovated in the mid-1970s and offers an enjoyable journey through history.
Get a map at the tourism office and go explore Cité Plantagenet. Don’t miss the Carré Plantagenet Museum if you’re interested in the era of the House of Plantagenet. You can also join a guided tour of the old town for a small fee.
Localização: Vieux Chemin du Mans, 72100 Le Mans, France
Cité Plantagenet in Le Mans
2. Guérande Walled Town
A glimpse into medieval times
Ideal para: História, Foto
Guérande, one of France’s best-preserved medieval towns, offers a rich tapestry of cultural and natural attractions. Fully surrounded by a 1,500-metre-long granite rampart, the charming old town is a maze of narrow streets bustling with arts and crafts boutiques and food shops, many offering the local delicacy of sweet and salty crepes.
Iconic landmarks like the Porte Saint-Michel Museum, Saint Aubin’s Church and Notre-Dame la Blanche Church are must-sees, as well as a guided visit of the salt marshes just west of town. Another area that you should not miss is the Brière Regional Natural Park, a 7,000-hectare wetland haven, perfect for tranquil rowboat rides.
Localização: Pl. Saint-Aubin, 44350 Guérande, France
Guérande Walled Town
3. Château des Ducs de Bretagne in Nantes
A step into the history of Brittany
Ideal para: História, Foto, Econômico
Dating back to the 13th century, the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, or Castle of the Dukes of Brittany in English, is a fortress boasting 7 towers linked by a sentry walkway. Converted into a municipal museum in 1924, it now hosts an urban history museum, offering a captivating exploration of Nantes and the Pays de la Loire region.
Its several permanent exhibitions present a blend of historical objects and multimedia installations, ensuring a fun and educational experience. Keep an eye out for temporary events, such as live music and art shows.
Localização: 4 Pl. Marc Elder, 44000 Nantes, France
Abre: Hours vary by season
Telefone: +33 (0)2 72 64 04 79
Château des Ducs de Bretagne in Nantes
4. Passage Pommeraye in Nantes
A vintage-style shopping mall
Ideal para: Compras, História, Foto
The Passage Pommeraye is a covered street built in 1840 in the centre of Nantes. It offers a route between La Fosse and Santeuil Streets, featuring splendid Renaissance-style architecture, with staircases and statues sheltered by a glass ceiling. Spanning approximately 100 metres, this shopping street gives you the feeling of stepping back into the 19th century.
The Passage Pommeraye is a lively shopping street that hosts numerous elegant boutiques and coffee shops in a 3-level shopping arcade. From fashion to interior decoration and from local food to jewels, the boutiques here are rather upscale, in line with the classy appearance of the place. Beautiful and pleasant all year round, the Passage Pommeraye is especially appealing at Christmas time.
Localização: 20 Pass. Pommeraye, 44000 Nantes, France
Abre: Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm and Sunday from 9 am to 8 pm
Passage Pommeraye in Nantes
5. Fontevraud Abbey
One of the largest surviving medieval monastic cities in France
Ideal para: História, Foto
Fontevraud Abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage site near Saumur, in the Loire Valley. Built during the 12th century, the abbey was disestablished as a monastery during the French Revolution and became one of the toughest prisons in France during the 19th century.
Nowadays, Fontevraud Abbey is one of the most notable historic sites in Pays de la Loire. Covering 32 acres of parkland, it’s the perfect place to take a break for a few hours, strolling around the Romanesque kitchens, the cloisters and the abbey. The majestic architecture of the edifices and the importance of the abbey throughout history makes it a must-see place.
Localização: 49590 Fontevraud-l’Abbaye, France
Abre: Hours vary by season
Telefone: +33 (0)2 41 51 73 52
Fontevraud Abbey
6. Machines of the Isle of Nantes
A world of dream and fantasy in a vintage shipyard
Ideal para: Famílias, Foto
Inspired by Jules Vernes, Leonardo Da Vinci and the industrial history of Nantes, the Machines of the Isle of Nantes are an attraction that blends fantasy, technical skill and imagination. This artistic and cultural project is in a vintage covered shipyard toward the western end of Beaulieu Island, just south to the centre of Nantes.
Take a ride on a life-size, mechanical elephant, enjoy a tour on the Marine Worlds Carrousel and climb on the Heron Tree. You can also visit the workshop to see how the machines are built. The Great Elephant ride is so popular that it’s best to pre-book it online if you don’t want to queue too long, particularly during summer months.
Localização: Parc des Chantiers, Bd Léon Bureau, 44200 Nantes, France
Abre: Hours vary by season
Telefone: +33 (0)2 51 17 49 89
Machines of the Isle of Nantes
7. La Baule Bay
The longest beach in Europe
Ideal para: Famílias, Luxo
Stretched between Le Pouliguen and Pornichet, La Baule Bay boasts almost 9 km of white, powdery sand, making it the longest beach in Europe. This chic seaside resort is known for its prestige hotels, first-class restaurants, vintage luxury villas and casinos. Like all coastal destinations in south Brittany, La Baule is busy from May to September, but it never loses its stylish atmosphere.
La Baule Beach is the main attraction from dawn ‘til dusk. Here, you’ll spot horse riders, joggers and cyclists in the morning, beachgoers all day long and gamblers in the evening. Most leisure and sporting activities available in La Baule are located around the beach.
La Baule Bay
8. Le Puy du Fou
Spectacular shows at a historical theme park
Ideal para: Famílias, História, Foto
Le Puy du Fou is one of the most popular theme parks in France, taking you through the history of the country. There are 20 breath-taking shows played throughout the day in the Grand Parc, including the medieval battle re-enactment, The Secret of the Lance and the captivating swordplay of Richelieu’s Musketeers.
The main show, the Cinéscénie, is performed in the evening on one of the largest stages in the world, telling the story of the area through the past 700 years. Featuring over 2,000 actors, hundreds of horses and impressive pyrotechnic effects, the Cinéscénie is an incredible performance, and one of the world’s biggest theatrical evening shows. The Grand Parc and the Cinéscénie shows can be booked separately.
Localização: 85590 Les Epesses, France
Abre: Hours vary by season
Telefone: +33 (0)8 20 09 10 10
Le Puy du Fou
9. Zoo de la Flèche
One of the most popular private zoos in France
Ideal para: Famílias, Foto
Head to Zoo de la Flèche to see over 1,500 animals representing about 120 species. Settled on about 44 acres of lush land, Zoo de la Flèche ranks among the most popular attractions in Pays de la Loire, featuring different areas for each type of animal. It is famous for its animal shows, performed throughout the day. Don’t miss the sea lion show at the Marine World section of the zoo or the free-flight bird show.
For an additional fee, you can become a keeper for a day at the zoo. You’ll do what pro zookeepers do on a daily basis, including feeding the animals and cleaning their enclosure.
Localização: Le Tertre Rouge, 72200 La Flèche, France
Abre: Hours vary by season
Telefone: +33 (0)2 43 48 19 19
Zoo de la Flèche
10. Western Loire Valley Vineyards
Home to 2 renowned wine-producing areas
Ideal para: Compras, História, Alimentação
Pays de la Loire, located on the western side of the Loire Valley, is renowned for its 2 wine-producing areas: Nantais, around Nantes, and Anjou-Saumur, between Angers and Saumur. The crisp white wines produced near Nantes, Muscadet and Gros-plant, pair perfectly with seafood, whereas Anjou-Saumur features a broad range of white, red and rosé wines with varying degrees of sweetness.
From Vignoble Marchais in Thouaré sur Loire to Domaine du Closel in Savennières, there are many vineyards that can be visited. Here, you’ll meet passionate producers, learn how they work and taste their wines in a friendly atmosphere. It’s best to rent a driver or use public transportation if you go for a wine-tasting day in Pays de la Loire.
Western Loire Valley Vineyards
11. Seafood in Les Sables-d’Olonne
Langoustines by the seaside
Ideal para: Alimentação
Head to Les Sables-d’Olonne to sample fresh langoustines at one of the restaurants located near the marina, particularly along Quai René Guiné. Situated in the southwest part of Pays de la Loire, Les Sables-d’Olonne is a seaside town especially renowned for being the departure and arrival point of the Vendée Globe, the famous round-the-world yacht race held every 4 years.
The marina is a lively place to wander around. It contains many cool places where you can try a wide variety of seafood, all caught fresh daily. Take a table with a view of the marina and watch people passing by while enjoying some delicious langoustines with mayonnaise, accompanied by a chilled glass of Muscadet. It doesn’t get much better.
Seafood in Les Sables-d’Olonne
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