Like most French countryside regions, Pays de la Loire offers a good balance of historical wonder and natural charm.

The medieval quarter in the city of Nantes is where Bluebeard is believed to have murdered hundreds of children before he got convicted of sorcery in 1440. Also, the Edict of Nantes that stopped the Wars of Religion in 1598 was made public in the same city. Numerous museums and art galleries can likewise be found here.

Considered to be one of the most strikingly beautiful beaches on the Atlantic Coast is found in Pays de la Loire – the La Baule beach. It holds another record of being one of the longest beaches in all of Europe. Anybody who loves shores and oceans should not dare miss it! Pornic is another seaside resort with a characteristically attractive harbor filled with yachts.

A town called Saumur is known as France’s cavalry center. The famous cadre noir riding school and a museum featuring tanks gave the town this distinction. This attractive town is also popular for mushrooms grown inside tuffeau caves.
The city of Laval, with its 11th century chateau, was home to the barons and counts of centuries past. Evron, on the other hand, has its medieval basilica that partially dates back to the 10th century.

Chateau Gontier is a town that surrounds the fortress of the Mayenne River. Drop by to see the romanesque St Jean Baptiste Church with 11th century interior frescoes. Craon, in the west, is a charming old town with its 18th century white stone chateau and medieval streets.

The northern part of Mayenne, meanwhile, stands out from the rest of the city with its haven of forests and hills, including Alpes Mancelles, which, interestingly, does not actually rise up to above 400 meters.