Introduction
The Pays de la Loire is an administrative French region made up of the historical provinces of Maine, Anjou, part of Brittany (Nantes), part of Poitou (Vendée), part of Perche (Sarthe) and a small part of Touraine.
It is the 5th most populous region of France (3.5 million inhabitants), the 6th largest and the 9th wealthiest (GDP per capita).
The Muscadet, Saumur, Savennières wines are produced in this region. Cointreau, the renowned brand of triple sec (orange-flavoured liqueur) is produced in Saint-Barthélemy-d'Anjou. LU (Lefèvre-Utile), France's most famous biscuit manufacturer (which products include Petit Beurre, Prince, Pim's, Cent Wafers, and Mikado) was founded in Nantes in 1846.
Famous people from the Pays de la Loire include (chronologically): Napoleon's Minister of Police Joseph Fouché, WWI Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau, novelist Jules Verne, painter Henri Rousseau, Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Aristide Briand, fashion designer Coco Chanel, and Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.
Attractions
Département de la Loire-Atlantique
Nantes |
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Culturally and historically part of Brittany, Nantes is the largest city in Northwest France.
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Other attractions
Ancenis Castle
Blain Castle
Châteaubriant Castle
Clisson Castle
Guérande
La Baule-Escoublac
La Groulais Castle
Pornichet
Ranrouet Castle (ruins)
Département de la Mayenne
Sainte-Suzanne
Lassay Castle
Laval
Département de la Vendée
La Roche-sur-Yon
Les Sables-d'Olonne
Marais poitevin
Noirmoutier Castle
Puy du Fou (historical theme park)
Saint-Jean-de-Monts
Talmont Saint-Hilaire Castle (ruins)
Tiffauges Castle (ruins)
Travel Community
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Eupedia's Rating System |
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Cities, towns, villages & historic buildings
- : Local interest
- : Moderately interesting
- : Outstanding place
- : Best of the country - shouldn't be missed
- : Best of Europe
Natural attractions
- : Local interest
- : Moderately interesting
- : Highly recommended
- : World-class natural attraction
- ※ : UNESCO World Heritage site
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