Pays de la Loire caravan and motorhome sites

In this region you can take in both stunning Atlantic coastlines and stroll around small traditional towns and villages discovering unspoilt landscapes shaped by the Loire River.

The Pays de Loire region is composed of five departments, two of them are coastal, the Loire Atlantique,home to the busy cruise ship building port of St Nazaire and the Vendee with its long sandy beaches and pine forests.

The other three are inland, the Sarthe with its world famous "Le Mans 24hrs racetrack" and the Mayenne and the Maine et Loire with the Loire valley playing a major role.

The best way to explore the inland Pays de la Loire area is by walking the narrow streets and discovering the many castles, cathedrals and half-timbered houses that make up the scenery. Whilst taking in the sights stop at one of the vineyards and try some of the wine that the region is renowned for.

Major towns and cities

• Nantes – capital of the region
• Le Mans – home of the 24-hours Le Mans motor race
• Laval – full of medieval churches, bridges and portions of city walls
• Saumur – historic town on the banks of the Loire surrounded by vineyards
• St Nazaire - a busy port and cruise ship building town with its huge bridge
• Guerande - a delightful small ancient walled city
• Les Sables d'Olonne - lovely sandy bay and lots of restaurants to choose from
• St Jean de Monts - long sandy beaches and pine forest
• Angers - historic city with medieval fortress
• La Baule - glitzy historic seaside resort

Regional attractions

• Cadre Noir – see the popular horse performances at Saumur
• Castle of Angers – an imposing and historical limestone fortress
• Cathedrale de Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul – gothic cathedral and tombs
• La Nuit des Chimeres – free lightshow on to the cathedral, summer months only
• Puy du Fou - huge "live shows" attraction park with day visit and spectacular night show
• Planete Sauvage - safari park with dolphins and monkey walk 15km from Nantes
• Ile de Noirmoutier and Ile de Yeu - Islands off the Vendee coast with superb beaches
• Saumur - Vineyard visits and wine tasting