Visit Pays-de-la-Loire

Elegant and dynamic, Nantes balances its rich past - symbolized by the imposing Château des Ducs de Bretagne - with a modernism that has been booming for the past fifteen years. Discover the lively streets of the Bouffay district, the city's former nerve center in the Middle Ages, which has now become Nantes' nightlife mecca. After a detour to the Musée d'Arts and the tropical greenhouses of the Jardin des Plantes, don't forget to visit the Ile de Nantes on the Loire, home to the fabulous Machines de l'île site and its Grand Elephant. Poetic and astonishing, the site is populated by strange creatures that evoke the world of Jules Verne, the machines of Leonardo da Vinci and the city's industrial past.

Imitate the first holidaymakers who flocked to the former salt-marsh village of Pornichet as early as 1860, transforming it into a fashionable seaside resort thanks to the arrival of the railroad. Here, you can soak up the sun and indulge in a wide range of water sports on the town's three sandy beaches, each with its own special features. Then stroll through Vieux Pornichet, where you can admire the colorful ^18th-century villas. Then enjoy a sumptuous panorama of the deep-water marina.

Situated on a peninsula, Le Croisic has thrived on cod fishing and the salt trade since the ^16th century. It's the ideal starting point for an excursion to the Guérande salt marshes, just a stone's throw away, where numerous guided tours will tell you all about the salt worker's trade. You can also enjoy the architectural unity of this family-friendly seaside resort, with its beautiful beaches and genuine art of living. And if time isn't on your side, you can always fall back on the town's Océarium.

Sung of by the poet Joachim du Bellay, the famous "douceur angevine" ("Angevin sweetness") is in no way usurped. The old town, dominated by an imposing château that once served as the seat of the royal Plantagenet dynasty, is sure to be rejuvenating. Stroll among the half-timbered houses and enjoy the many gardens of this pretty town, reputed to be the "greenest in France". Then, whether on foot, by bike or even on the water, explore its hinterland, which abounds in natural riches: follow the wine route, stroll in search of castles or take a more leisurely stroll along the banks of the Loire, amidst the splendid landscapes of Anjou.

Famous for its unforgettable rillettes, and for its 24-hour car race, to which a superb museum is dedicated, Le Mans also boasts Roman fortifications, a Plantagenet town and the Gothic cathedral of Saint-Julien. Take a long stroll through the cobbled streets of the historic center, lined with half-timbered houses and mansions dating back to the Renaissance: they have been the backdrop for many a cloak-and-dagger film, such as Le Bossu. Finally, on summer evenings, don't miss the Nuit des chimères, a magnificent visual and sound show highlighting the heritage of Vieux Mans.