PAYS DE LA LOIRE INFORMATION
PAYS DE LA LOIRE Topography
Pays de la Loire is a region of western France, comprising the departments of Loire-Atlantique (44), Maine-et-Loire (49), Mayenne (53), Sarthe (72) and Vendée (85). It has an area of 32,082 km2 (12,387 mi2) and a population of 3,222,061 (1999); the capital is Nantes. Pays de la Loire has a long coast on the Bay of Biscay to the west and is bordered by Brittany to the north and west, Lower Normandy to the north, Centre to the east, and Poitou-Charentes to the south.
Pays de la Loire is one of the 26 regions of France. It is one of the regions created in the late 20th century to serve as a zone of influence for its capital, Nantes, one of a handful so-called "balancing metropolises" (métropoles d'équilibre)¹. Other examples of "artificially created" regions include Rhône-Alpes, which was created as the region for Lyon, and Midi-Pyrénées, which was created as the region for Toulouse.
PAYS DE LA LOIRE Climate
A maritime climate, which can be cool, drizzly and windy in winter, though it seldom rains all day. Generally warm in spring with temperatures often reaching 30 plus degrees through the summer and a warm late autumn.
PAYS DE LA LOIRE Geography
Pays de la Loire is made up of the following historical provinces:
a part of Brittany, with its old capital Nantes contained within the Loire-Atlantique department. This is only 20% of Brittany. The other 80% of Brittany make up the region of Bretagne.
Anjou: is largely contained within the Maine-et-Loire department. The whole of the former province of Anjou is contained inside Pays de la Loire.
Maine: is now divided between the Mayenne and Sarthe departments. The whole of the former province of Maine is contained inside Pays de la Loire.
a part of Poitou: is contained within the Vendée department. Most of the old province of Poitou is inside the Poitou-Charentes region.
a part of Perche: is within the northeast of Sarthe department. The rest of Perche is inside the Basse-Normandie and Centre regions.
a small part of Touraine: southeast of Maine-et-Loire department. Most of the former province of Touraine is inside the Centre region.
Consequently, the name of the region, chosen by the French central government, was not based on history, but purely on geographical references: Pays (i.e. "lands") de la Loire (i.e. "of the Loire River"). However, the majority of the famous châteaux of the Loire Valley are located in the Centre region, and not inside Pays de la Loire, despite the confusing name. The Pays de la Loire present many great monuments as the castles of Angers, Laval, Mayenne and the Nantes "Château des Ducs de Bretagne", the Royal Fontevraud Abbey (the widest monastic ensemble in Europe), the old city of Le Mans, and also many natural parks such as the Brière and the Marsh of Poitou.
PAYS DE LA LOIRE Heritage
The Loire river is a natural and free guide for discovering the biggest UNESCO World Heritage site in France: 280 km between Sully-sur-Loire, in the Loiret, and Chalonnes-sur-Loire, in Anjou. This strip of land and water dedicates itself to your every desire for discovery and encounters. For hundreds of years, the river and its inhabitants have cultivated a harmony in which humankind finds its proper place in the natural world.
PAYS DE LA LOIRE Main cities
Angers, Châteaubriant, Laval, Le Mans, Nantes, Sables d'Olonne, Saumur
The white stone which gives the towns and villages of the banks of the Loire their sparkle is known as tufa. It leaves its impression on the minds of those who fall for the river’s magnetism. When the strong architectural characteristics of the area are added to this, you’ll very soon understand that these towns have a unique charm! Set against a hillside or on a river, the Loire-based towns and villages – such as Saumur or Le Thoureil – welcome you with open arms for a gentle and elegant break.
PAYS DE LA LOIRE River
The Loire can be spectacular, comforting, wide and violent by turn. It is sprinkled with wooded islands and sandbanks, bordered by vast prairies on the right bank and punctuated by the outlines of hills on the left bank. Wild animal and vegetal species (some of which are exceptional for this latitude) populate the banks of the royal river. A majestic nature offers visitors a unique spectacle!
The Loire-Anjou-Touraine park covers the Loire Valley between Tours and Angers. It encloses a natural, cultural, and historic heritage that is as rich as it is varied. An approach to discovery of the park via canoe-kayak is certainly the most authentic. Everyone can try river-driven navigation, regardless of their level of skill! Cycling enthusiasts can follow the river’s path over more than 150 km of signposted and safe track between Tours and Angers, by following the Loire à Vélo route!
PAYS DE LA LOIRE Wine
PAYS DE LA LOIRE HOLIDAY RENTALS in Region of FRANCE
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