Guide to Western Loire

The Golden Region of Western Loire

The stunning Western Loire region, called Pays de la Loire, is one of the true highlights of France. With rolling countryside, beautiful rivers and stunning chateaux, there is much more to this region than just its famous wine – though, of course, there’s plenty of that to enjoy too.

Diverse Landscape

Made up of five departments, stretching from the southern edge of Normandy down to the border of Charente-Maritime on the western coast, it is one of the most exciting landscapes in the country. From miles of open countryside to lively cities with events throughout the year, Pays de la Loire is among the best places to buy a home in France.

Climate for Growth

Its climate is warm through the summer – the Pays de la Loire area is often called the "Garden of France" thanks to its abundance of grapes, other fruits and vegetables grown in ideal conditions. However, there is still frost through the winter and rainfall in the autumn, ensuring the countryside stays lush and green.

Wine Lover's Paradise

Pays de la Loire is rightly known for its wines. Driving through the Sarthe, Mayenne and Maine-et-Loire departments, you’ll soon notice how much of the farmland is filled with vines. The region has many leading wine estates, and there’s no shortage of tasting opportunities. It is also renowned for its striking chateaux, often open to explore along with their beautiful grounds, including formal gardens.

Vibrant Cities and Relaxing Coast

Le Mans, Angers and Cholet are just some of the cities in the heart of Pays de la Loire, while Saint-Nazaire and La Roche-sur-Yon are all bustling destinations closer to the coast, where the Loire-Atlantique and Vendée departments have long stretches of golden sandy beaches.

Coastal Treasures

The most famous coastal town is Les Sables d’Olonne, but travel north or south from here and you’ll find miles of inviting beaches that are often all but deserted. La Tranche-sur-Mer, to the south, is a particular highlight and a great spot to take to the Ocean for water sports and sailing. We enjoyed celebrating there at the end of our studies, and have fond memories of this fantastic, friendly area. The coastal resort of Pornic, known for its beautiful beaches and charming harbour, is another gem along the French coast, offering a relaxing getaway.

Facts and Figures

• Capital city: Nantes
• Population: Approx. 3.8 million (around 5.7% of France's 68 million population
• Area: 32,082 sq. kilometres (12,387 square miles), about 5.8% of France's total area.
• Density: About 118 inhabitants per sq. kilometre, slightly above the national average of 106

Tourism Information

• Number of Tourists per Year: Approximately 19 million.
• Km of Coastline: Approximately 450 km
• Km of Beaches: Approximately 215 km
• Km of Loire River: Approximately 250 km
• Highest Peak: The region is fairly flat; the highest point is Mont des Avaloirs (417 meters).
• Average Sunshine Hours per Year: Around 1,800 hours
• Châteaux in the Region: Approx. 1,200 châteaux, notably Château d'Angers (Maine-et-Loire), Château de Brissac (Maine-et-Loire) and Château de Montsoreau (Maine-et-Loire).
• Most Famous Landmark: Château d'Angers
• Golf Courses in the Region: Approximately 33 golf courses

Getting to Western Loire

The main cities are Nantes, Angers, Le Mans, Laval and Saint-Nazaire. They can be accessed using the road network (motorways, national and departmental roads), the train network, or by air. Here's a list of the region's airports and main train stations.

Airports

• Nantes Atlantique Airport
• Angers Loire Airport
• Le Mans Arnage Airport
• Laval-Entrammes Airport
• Saint-Nazaire Montoir Airport

Main Train Stations

• Nantes Station
• Angers Saint-Laud Station
• Le Mans Station
• Laval Station
• Saint-Nazaire Station

Regional Tourist Hotspots

• Château d'Angers
• Nantes
• Angers
• Le Mans and its 24 Hour Racing track
• Laval
• Saint-Nazaire
• Le Lude
• The Loire Valley
• The Atlantic Coast
• Le Puy du Fou (historical theme park)
• Les Sables d'Olonne, hosts of the Vendée Globe boat race
• The islands of Noirmoutier and Yeu
• Zoo in La Flèche

National Parks in the Region

• Parc national de Brière (shared with Brittany)

Regional Nature Parks

• Parc naturel régional de Brière
• Parc naturel régional Loire-Anjou-Touraine
• Parc naturel régional du Marais Poitevin (shared with Nouvelle-Aquitaine)

UNESCO Sites in the Region

• The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes

Economic Information

• Economic Strength: Pays de la Loire is known for its diverse economy, with strengths in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and technology.
• Gross Domestic Product: Approx. €137 billion (2022), around 5% of France's total GDP.
• Economy: Services 65% (tourism, healthcare and education, technology and innovation), industry 30% (manufacturing, shipbuilding, aerospace, automotive and food processing) and agriculture 5% (dairy production, livestock farming and viticulture with 40,000 hectares of vineyards)
• Unemployment Rate: Approximately 6.5% (France’s national rate = 7.2%)
• Universities and Grandes Écoles: Notable institutions include the University of Nantes, University of Angers, University of Le Mans, and the University of La Roche-sur-Yon.
• Regional Specialties: Pays de la Loire is renowned for its wines, particularly Muscadet and those from the Anjou region. The region is also famous for its seafood, including oysters and mussels from the Atlantic coast. Traditional dishes like fouée (a type of bread), rillauds (pork dish) and beurre blanc (white butter sauce) are other notable specialities. Additionally, the region is known for its dairy products including various cheeses.

Click on the links on this page to learn about a specific department in Pays de Loire, use our draw map to narrow your search and browse through our properties for sale in Western Loire.