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Of France’s 26 regions, Pays de la Loire is among those artificially created for administrative purposes. Located in the northwestern portion of the country and covering an extensive area, the region is famous for its scenic Atlantic coastline which forms the northern part of the Bay of Biscay.
The city of Nantes is the region’s capital and is famous for a variety of interesting historical and architectural sights including the splendid Gothic Cathedral of Nantes, which owes a lengthy 475 years of intermittent construction to its finished grandeur. The city is also famous as the birthplace of the science-fiction writer Jules Verne and a museum dedicated to his life and works can be found in the building that formerly served as his residence.
Known as the ‘Garden of France’, the Loire Valley is a famous wine-producing centre within the Pays de la Loire region. The valley is characterised by scenic countryside and its wealth of architectural heritage; the latter epitomised by towns such as Orléans, Angers, Chinon, Blois and Amboise. The region also excels for its impressive castles among which châteaux de Villandry, d'Amboise and Chenonceau are especially notable.
Île de Noirmoutier offers a well developed tourist infrastructure, but is yet to become over-commercialised, retaining the charm of a small Loire Valley town. Fine beaches such as Luzeronde and Bois de la Chaise offer lazy summer days, while the town centre features a healthy balance of tourist amenities and traditional old-fashioned businesses and residences.
The city of Le Mans offers an old town that has successfully preserved its structures of historical and cultural significance. St-Julien Cathedral, built in tribute to St Julian of Le Mans, is perhaps the focal point of this area, while various Roman remains are also worthy of a visit.
Angers, Saumur and Montreuil-Bellay are among the region’s other major cities and each is notable for its own collection of culture and heritage based attractions. Châteaux de Saumur, Montreuil-Bellay and Angers list among the most popular sights.
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