Our guide to...

Pays de la Loire

In the “Land of the Loire River”, the region of Pays de la Loire, you’ll find a wealth of wonderful vineyards and picturesque natural parks. There’s something for everyone, with even the most difficult teenager being able to find an attraction that they love. Award-winning clean beaches are perfect for an afternoon of volleyball, sandcastle-building and sunbathing, and there are beautiful historic towns where the people are friendly and the shops are filled with exciting things to buy. Your self catering  holiday gite is your pass to a region with spas, golf courses, castles and nature trails for a relaxing and rejuvenating break, but if that’s not your thing then you can fill your itinerary with thrills, family favourites and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Loire Atlantique is home to the city of Nantes, and to Nantes International Airport. Step off the plane and into a department full of awe-inspiring spectacles and beautiful open spaces. Les Machines de L’île is a machine gallery where the creations of François Delarozière and Pierre Orefice are displayed and brought to life, and if you’re lucky then you’ll be able to book your space to ride the giant mechanical elephant through the streets of Nantes. At Planète Sauvage, you can find real elephants and a whole lot more whilst enjoying a drive-through safari experience, and though you’ll find dozens of aquariums throughout Pays de la Loire none are better than the Océarium in Le Croisic – an underwater observatory where you can get up close to the creatures of the deep.

In Maine-et-Loire you’ll find plenty to fill even the most active of family holidays, like the Terra Botanica theme park and the Holly Park family fairground. At Le Château des Aventuriers, little adventurers can walk with dinosaurs and sail the seas before travelling the world and learning about history. The department of Maine-et-Loire is the home of the Apocalypse Tapestry, which is on display at the Chateau d’Angers, and to the Zoo de Doué la Fontaine with reptiles, mammals and birds. Visit Le Jardin des Kangourous, and see kangaroos up close, or see the tanks at Le Musée des Blindés. Kids will find loads of things to do in Maine-et-Loire, amongst museums and monuments to keep the adults happy.

Perhaps one of the most emotionally moving of all of Pay de la Loire’s attractions can be found in the department of Mayenne. The Refuge de L’Arche is an animal sanctuary specifically for wild and domestic animals that have been abused, mistreated, neglected, found injured or illegally imported. Animals live out the rest of their lives at the rescue, and are available to see along with one or two educational messages. Meanwhile, La Musée Robert Tatin provides an entirely different but equally interesting experience with his house and intricately detailed concrete sculptures on display. The kids might not usually be interested in museums, but they’re sure to love the impressive works of Robert Tatin.

Even Mayenne’s museum of cheese has something for everyone. At Lactopôle you’ll see more than 4,000 artefacts relating to cheese production. Your gite in Mayenne gives you access to all of these fantastic attractions, and to the department’s historic castles, for a memorable family holiday.

Home to Le Mans, the town famed for its exciting motorsports including the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance event, Sarthe is an exciting destination for gîte holidays in France. The town of Le Mans features two racing circuits – the permanent Bugatti Circuit and the temporary Circuit de la Sarthe which requires road closures when events are taking place. As you’d expect, the town is a year-round significant site for lovers of motorsport racing, with great places to buy souvenirs and memorabilia on even the quietest of days.

Yet, the races aren’t the only events to draw the crowds to Le Mans. La Nuit des Chimères is a summer event taking place in the historic Old Town, where colourful images and light shows are projected onto the walls of some of the most impressive historic landmarks, buildings and monuments including the Saint-Juliens Cathedral and the Jacobins Fountain. Don’t forget to enjoy the rest of Sarthe’s attractions, including the Zoo de la Flèche and the Papéa Parc family theme park. There are other zoos and museums to explore, as well as one or two golf clubs for travellers that like a challenge.

Vendée is a department full of mystery and adventure, with monumental French castles, beaches and forests where you can have treetop adventures and go on walks with your family. As well as the Zoo Des Sables and the peaceful L’Ile aux Papillon butterfly garden, it’s home to one of the world’s most popular theme parks. Puy Du Fou offers the chance to travel through time with a variety of day and night shows, and with dozens of restaurants and eateries to satisfy your taste buds. Marvel at the cars on display at the Musée Automobile de Vendée, go on a barge trip along the river or take to the beach for an afternoon of surfing. Whatever the weather, there are things to do in Vendée.

Our link below could be the start of finding your fantastic family holiday in a beautiful gite.

Areas of Pays de la Loire

Vendee
Vendée is a department full of mystery and adventure, with monumental French castles, beaches and forests where you can have treetop adventures and go on walks with your family. As well as the Zoo Des Sables and the peaceful L'Ile aux Papillon butterfly garden, it's home to one of the world's most popular theme parks. Puy Du Fou offers the chance to travel through time with a variety of day and night shows, and with dozens of restaurants and eateries to satisfy your taste buds. Marvel at the cars on display at the Musée Automobile de Vendée, go on a barge trip along the river or take to the beach for an afternoon of surfing. Whatever the weather, there are things to do in Vendée.

Loire Atlantique
Loire Atlantique is home to the city of Nantes, and to Nantes International Airport. Step off the plane and into a department full of awe-inspiring spectacles and beautiful open spaces.

Maine et Loire
In Maine-et-Loire you'll find plenty to fill even the most active of family holidays, like the Terra Botanica theme park and the Holly Park family fairground. At Le Château des Aventuriers, little adventurers can walk with dinosaurs and sail the seas before travelling the world and learning about history. The department of Maine-et-Loire is the home of the Apocalypse Tapestry.

Mayenne
Perhaps one of the most emotionally moving of all of Pay de la Loire's attractions can be found in the department of Mayenne. The Refuge de L'Arche is an animal sanctuary specifically for wild and domestic animals that have been abused, mistreated, neglected, found injured or illegally imported.

Sarthe
Home to Le Mans, the town famed for its exciting motorsports including the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance event, Sarthe is an exciting destination for gîte holidays in France.