Many people have already passed through or stayed in the Western Loire, the area covering 33,000 km² which stretches from the borders of the Ile de France to the Atlantic coast.
Today, we've made it easier for you to access by setting up a virtual region where you can prepare your holiday: www.westernloire.com
Why not hire a barge and follow the river towards Angers? The birthplace of the Plantagenets is full of history and evidence of the past can still be seen in the region's Historic Sites and Tourist Attractions* such as Fontevraud, Saumur and Angers.
Today, life is gentle here. The Loire crosses right through the old province of Anjou with its pretty towns and villages built of white stone which blush beautifully in the light of the setting or rising sun. Here, where for centuries vines have been planted to create delicious flavours, you can ride your horse flat-out, hair blowing in the wind, on a Discovery Trip* towards the ocean.
You can also get to the sea by cycling along the banks of the Loire. You'll very quickly come to Nantes, the regional capital, where Festivals and Shows* are held; this commercial centre, surrounded by vineyards, was also the port used to bring spices and flowers to the rest of France in days gone by.
Jules Verne was born here and his adventures leave a feeling of childhood in the air. Gradually, the creeks appear edged with yellow, red and golden sand…. The houses are well-to-do, hewn from granite to resist the strong winds which arrive with the spring tides. Their presence lets you know you're getting close to a new world of boating, sailors and the Joys of the Atlantic*.
Further south, where the rocks give way to long stretches of sand - kilometres and kilometres of sand and dune - the waves gently run aground on the beaches. The houses here are different, often white, with brightly painted wooden windows and shutters. The weather is warmer.
Children can now enjoy the pleasures of the sea, perhaps by trying out surfboarding; for parents, the medieval castles have given way to sandcastles, and the bikes on the islands dash towards the sea spray...
Sometimes, it may rain, but that doesn't matter; thanks to the Guide on www.westernloire.com, you can decide to go to the zoo, or to the museum, you can visit local markets or go for a quiet walk before getting back to your temporary home: your own gîte, château, camp site or hotel.
How wonderful these holiday have been ! You'll go again! You'll have made your own discoveries, but you've also carefully prepared your trip. Whatever your desire, www.westernloire.com is here to fulfil your expectations and make organising your holiday easier. And if you're short of ideas, our all-inclusive packages will help you find something!
For more on the Western Loire region, click on the links at the top of the page or visit www.westernloire.com
