The best things to do in Pays de la Loire

Pays de la Loire is a vast region full of plenty of fun things to do. You can discover some incredible chateaux in Western Loire - from the fortress at Angers, to the fairy tale chateau in Saumur, and the palatial former home and seat of the Dukes of Brittany in Nantes. 

If Chateaux aren’t your thing, you can also explore the caves created by the mining of tuffeau stone for many of the chateaux, where dwellings, and even churches, have been carved out of the stone.

Today, the caves are often used to mature wines (and grow mushrooms) so be sure to try the rosé wines of Anjou and the Muscadet from the area around Nantes. 

A trip to see Le Mans, home of the 24 hour race, is not complete without trying it's famous pâté-style dish, rillettes too. 

For more family-friendly fun in the Atlantic Loire you can visit theme parks and more! There is so much for everyone to enjoy on your next family holiday to France!

The top Pays de la Loire attractions

With so many attractions to explore, we have made planning your next holiday to France even easier by rounding up our top 10 attractions across Pays de la Loire…

Puy du Fou

A truly spectacular and unique theme park, Puy du Fou is the place where history comes to life in the most incredible shows and adventures. Once voted the world's best theme park, Puy du Fou is fantastic family fun and an unmissable experience for families holidaying in Western Loire.

Machines de l'île

All aboard the elephant! Machines de l'île is an incredible arts project that combines the imagination of Jules Verne with the ingenuity of Leonardo De Vinci to create amazing mechanical creatures in the heart of Nantes. 

These include an elephant that you can ride in which walks up and down the quayside - and sprays passers-by with water from it's trunk!

Château d'Angers

Another great thing to do in Pays de la Loire is visit this imposing military fortress! 

Château d’Angers has 17 towers with outer walls nearly 10 feet thick. Situated in the city of Angers, this fortress was built in the 13th century, it is the most recognisable sight in the city and makes a change from all the beautiful palatial chateaux in the region. 

This castle was built for the purpose of defence not beauty. It is also the home of the famous Apocalypse Tapestry; another must see in Western Loire.

Cadre Noir

The National Riding School in Saumur is the home of the Cadre Noir. One of the most famous equestrian display teams in the world. 

The Cadre Noir are renowned for their excellent horsemanship. If you're lucky, you'll be able to catch a performance at the National Riding School.

Village Troglodyte

An absolute must see attraction in Pays de la Loire - the unusual village of Rochemenier, a group of cave dwellings hewn from the rock centuries ago. 

Carved out of the soft white tuffeau stone that was used to build many of the region's grand chateaux and palaces, there is also an underground chapel and modernised troglodyte house.

Château de Saumur

Sitting on the banks of the Loire and looking like it's fallen out of the pages of a fairytale, the Château de Saumur is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful chateaux in the region. 

Today, it has been lovingly restored and is home to several museums, including a toy museum in the dungeons! A great destination for a day out in Pays de la Loire!

Le Mans race museum

Le Mans is famous for its annual 24 hour race and this museum celebrates the best of the cars, teams and races that have taken place.

You can take a look at 120 cars from past races from the likes of Bugatti, Porsche and Ferrari and explore the world of the 24 hour race with lots of educational models, a workshop of engineers and more. A great thing to do in the Loire region for any car enthusiast!

Castle of the Dukes of Brittany

Nantes was formerly part of Brittany, and the Dukes of Brittany made the city their home. This majestic white palace was built to protect Brittany from the Kingdom of France and is both a defensive work of architecture as well as being designed as a palatial residence. 

The Nantes History Museum is now housed inside the building also. An excellent attraction in Pays de la Loire where you can learn lots about the region’s rich history!

Maison d'Adam

Found in the heart of Angers, the Maison d'Adam is one of the oldest buildings in France and is an outstanding example of the half-timber buildings of mediaeval times. 

The house's beautifully sculptured supports and beams are covered with carvings of religious and secular designs including angels, centaurs and gryphons.

A must see when visiting Western Loire – there is also a shop inside selling art, homewares and jewellery.

La Baule beach

One of the most stunning beaches in the region, the beach at La Baule is a wonderful 9km stretch of golden sand that runs in a crescent along the Cote d'Amour, the coast of love. 

The beach is popular with families and is great for all sorts of water sports, such as kitesurfing or yachting, as well as being perfect for some old-fashioned bucket and spade fun!

Bateau l'Hirondelle

Kick back and relax on a peaceful cruise along the river Mayenne. A fantastic thing to do on your holiday to Pays de la Loire. 

On your magical river cruise you can admire the beautiful scenery and spot the wildlife. Onboard enjoy a wonderful dinner cruise with a meal and drinks included. Head up onto the panoramic terrace for the best views of the river.

Terra Botanica

Fabulous fun with some education along the way, Terra Botanica is a plant-life theme park, the first of its kind in Europe.

Full of interactive activities and attractions in the huge gardens, aquatic areas and glasshouses, this is a great day out where kids and adults alike can learn something and enjoy the great outdoors whilst having lots of fun. 

Monkey Forest Adventure Park

Not far from La Baule is this adventure park with thrilling tree-top experiences for all ages. With 36 zip wires, adventure courses for different abilities and lots of games, there's something for everyone to enjoy. There are even treasure hunts and obstacle courses for children to help them to explore the park.

Planete Sauvage

A trip to the zoo is always a great day out! When visiting Atlantic Loire, Planete Sauvage is the zoo to head to, it is one of the best zoos in the region. 

Drive through the safari park, watch dolphins in a show at the aquatic centre, meet lemurs and meerkats in an African village and walk through the jungle where the macaque monkeys live. You can even stay overnight for a unique zoo experience.

Ocearium de Croisic

Discover marine wildlife from oceans all around the globe. You can see sharks from Australia, fish from the Mediterranean, all kinds of marine animals from France's Atlantic coast and even a colony of penguins. 

A walk through the aquarium tunnel is mesmerising and you can watch the divers as they feed the fish and rays.

Say ‘Oui’ to a 2023 holiday with Brittany Ferries 澳洲幸运10十168体彩开奖网! When you travel with us, France and Spain come to life the moment you step on board. With space to relax and unwind in our bars, restaurants and out on deck, our ships showcase why travelling by sea is a richer way to travel.

Samantha Wills