Atlantic beaches and Loire Valley châteaux await in this western France region.
At the mouth of the Loire River on Franceâs Atlantic Coast, Pay de la Loire bridges the gap between the North and the South. Donât go writing this region off as a pitstop, thoughâthereâs plenty to tempt campers to linger in its five departments. How about golden beaches and islands fringed by miles of coastal forests and marshlands, medieval cities capped by hilltop châteaux, or some of the Loireâs most unique vineyards? Or, perhaps you want to attend one of the worldâs most famous motorsports events or experience Franceâs second-most visited theme park after Disneyland? In that case: welcome to Pays de la Loire.
The westernmost city along the Loire River, Nantes is the regional capital and a buzzing epicentre, famous for its medieval castle, lively nightlife, and unforgettable Ile des Machines theme park. Two rivers wind their way through Loire-Atlantiqueâthe Loire and the Erdreâaffording plenty of options for boat cruises, water sports, and riverside camping, after which you can head out into the vineyards to taste the regionâs Muscadet wines or escape to the beach towns of La Baule or Pornic.
Just west of the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley, the Maine-et-Loire cities of Angers and Saumur are lesser-known gems complete with impressively preserved medieval quarters and magnificent castles that afford views along the Sarthe and Loire Rivers, respectively. Once youâve explored the cities, head out to discover the departmentâs troglodyte caves, go wine tasting in the Anjou wine region, or enjoy hiking and biking in the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional National Park.
If youâre looking to get off the beaten track, the northwestern department of Mayenne lies largely off the tourist trail. Swing by the medieval villages of Sainte-Suzanne and Saint-Denis dâAnjour, venture into the prehistoric caves of Saulges, or visit the old Thevalles watermill before checking into a quiet campground or Hipcamp in the heart of the countryside.
Motorsports fans will surely know Le Mans, the capital of the Sarthe department and host of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Campers will find plenty of scenic spots in the surrounding countryside, whether venturing north into the Perseigne forest or the Normandie-Maine Regional Natural Park, or fishing and canoeing along the Sarthe River.
More than 85 kilometres of sandy beaches, golden dunes, and sun-soaked shores stretch along the Atlantic Coast of the VendĂŠe. This is the seaside haven of Pays de la Loire, and coastal campers are spoiled for choice. Head to the family-friendly resorts of Saint Jean de Monts or Saint Gilles Croix-de-Vie, explore the wild beaches and marshlands of Noirmoutier Island, or hike, cycle, or horseback ride through miles of coastal forests.