Loire-Atlantique, Pays de la Loire

The Loire-Atlantique department is special. Its name reflects the link between France’s greatest river and the Atlantic Ocean, a combination of seashore and countryside that offers an impressive list of attractions for the visitor.

There’s Nantes, rich with history and museums. Saint-Nazaire is equally famous for its ship yards (the Queen Mary, the world’s largest cruise liner was built here). There are stylish seaside resorts like La Baule and Pornic. Natural attractions include the rugged coast and mysterious salt marshes, the Brière regional nature park and the Nantes/Brest Canal. More surprising is Clisson and Garenne Lemot park, with their distinct Italian-flavoured architecture.

And there is so much to do: go hiking, biking or horse riding; relax with some thalassotherapy, sea water spa treatment. Or play golf…the choice is huge, the choice is yours.

And don’t forget the glorious food. There is nowhere better in the world for fresh seafood than the Loire-Atlantique: oysters, crabs and mussels straight from the sea, all matched perfectly with a bottle of dry, white Muscadet from local vineyards. There’s steak from Châteaubriant, fresh salads and the finest salt in the world, the ‘white gold’ of Guérande.