Pays de la Loire is part of your road trip where two great French landscapes collide the elegant Loire River Valley and the wild Atlantic coast. This western region serves as the historic gateway connecting the inland heart of France with the raw power of the ocean. Your drive here is a journey from medieval castles to salty maritime history.
The drive begins among the last of the legendary châteaux near Angers and Saumur powerful monuments to French royalty. It then moves swiftly west to Nantes, a major historic port city. Further along the coastline you find the salt marshes of Guérande and the stunning beaches of the Vendée. The coastal roads are a complete shift in scenery from the river valley.
You can witness ancient salt harvesting techniques then explore cutting edge shipbuilding in Nantes. This region has impressive royal history, unspoiled coastal stretches and the unique pleasure of tasting the salt spray where the great river finally meets the sea.
Pays de la Loire highlights
- Nantes A city blending history and culture. Nantes is famous for its historic castle, lively squares and charming old town. Don’t miss Les Machines de l’île, a fantastical exhibition of giant mechanical creatures that brings imagination to life along the Loire River.
- Le Mans Famous worldwide for the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, the city combines motorsport excitement with rich history. Explore its medieval old town and the stunning Saint-Julien Cathedral alongside racing heritage museums.
- Château d'Angers Explore this formidable fortress home to the Apocalypse Tapestry, the world's largest and oldest surviving medieval tapestry.
- Île de Noirmoutier Salt Marshes & Hidden Beaches. An island accessible by bridge or the tidal Passage du Gois road; a paradise of dunes, cycling paths, and oyster huts.
- Passage du Gois Drive this unique four kilometer long road connecting the mainland to Noirmoutier Island. The only road in France that disappears twice daily under the Atlantic tide.
- Abbaye de Fontevraud Tour this impressive and powerful royal abbey the final resting place of several English monarchs including Richard the Lionheart.
- Puy du Fou Experience this globally famous historical theme park known for its spectacular live action shows depicting French history from Vikings to World War II.
- Guérande Salt Marshes Drive along the coast to witness ancient salt harvesting techniques in the marshlands. A unique and productive landscape.
The local Four
History of Pays de la Loire
The history of Pays de la Loire is founded on its strategic control of the lower Loire River and the Atlantic Ocean. Medieval power grew strong in cities like Angers home to the formidable Counts of Anjou who went on to rule England as the Plantagenet kings. This control of the water enabled immense wealth through trade exploration and the essential salt harvesting industry along the coast.
Nantes became one of France’s most important ports fueling global trade and shipbuilding for centuries. However this region experienced deep conflict during the French Revolution. The southern part became the center of the fierce counter revolutionary Wars of the Vendée. It was a period of brutal fighting that is central to the region’s identity. The local history you encounter is often marked by this tragic struggle.
Cities like Nantes continue their tradition of innovation and shipbuilding while the coastal towns preserve their ancient salt marshes. Your road trip here combines the grandeur of medieval kings with the independence of the French Atlantic.