The Pays de la Loire (the lands of the Loire) Region is made up of the Departements of Loire-Atlantique, Mayenne, Maine-et-Loire, Sarthe, Vendée all of which are visited by the Loire River. The region is a recent administrative invention cutting across some old provincial boundaries. Nantes for example, was once considered the capital Bretagne (Brittany) while the ancient province of Anjou (modern day Angers) whose ruler’s influence once extended as far as Sicily has been entirely consumed by Pays de la Loire. Adding to the confusion of identity, the great chateaux of the Loire Valley are located in the Centre Region. | Le Mans, famous for motor racing (24hr Race) is located in the north of the Pays de la Loire Region. The Departement of Vendée faces the Atlantic and is a popular coastal getaway. The Vendée is also a major base for ocean going yachts. 
The famous round the world yacht race Vendée Globe starts and finishes at the Vendéean port of Les Sables d’Olonne. The excellent historic theme park of Puy de Fou is also located in Vendée. | 
Pays de la Loire Quick Facts Population: 3,455,000 Departments: Loire-Atlantique (44), Mayenne (53), Maine-et-Loire (49), Sarthe (72) and Vendée (85) Major Centres: Nantes, Saint Nazaire, Angers, Le Mans, Les Sables-d’Olonne What to see and do: What to eat: What to drink: Airport: Nantes Region Official Tourism Site Region Wikipedia Site |
