Maine et Loire

Mayenne-et-Loire was one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. The name was changed to Maine-et-Loire in 1791. It was created from part of the former province of Anjou. Its present name is drawn from the former province of Maine and the Loire River, which runs through it.

This area has many navigable rivers such as the Loire (longest river in France), Mayenne, Sarthe, and the Loir (193 miles long), and has a varied landscape, with forested ranges of hills in the south and north separated by the valley of the Loire. It has Amazing castles, stately homes, extravagant buildings; the old province has an incredible 1200 of them for you to see!

A permanent backdrop of towers, steeples and ramparts that make even the smallest village you come across interesting. Prehistoric, Greek, Egyptian, Roman, medieval and oriental - archaeology reveals all in Anjou.

The West of France provides arguably some of the most attractive river cruising anywhere in Europe. These waterways are isolated from the rest of France and it is this isolation that has allowed them to keep their distinct individual nature.

The hidden charms of Anjou can be discovered by cruising along its gently flowing rivers, through a rolling countryside dotted with famous chateaux, abbeys, and manor houses. Visit the famous city of Angers with its cathedral and magnificent fortress of seventeen towers. Just north of the city, the rivers Mayenne and Sarthe join to form the Maine, in the heart of the Loire country.

The Mayenne is a delightful river to cruise, with only 25 locks as it meanders through unspoiled countryside past the ancient castle of Laval to the feudal citadel of Mayenne. Through to Chateau-Gontier.

There are some 8500 km/5000+ miles-waterways for pleasure sailing in France and thus France has the first river network in Europe.

Loire-Atlantique

Loire-Intérieure (Loire-Atlantique) was one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution in 1790. It was renamed in 1957. It was originally part of Brittany, and contains what many people consider to be Brittany's capital. Loire-Atlantique is part of the current region of Pays-de-la-Loire and is surrounded by the departments of Morbihan, Ille-et-Vilaine, Maine-et-Loire, and Vendée, with the Atlantic on the west.

Loire-Atlantique is located in west central France, it's name comes from the Loire River and the Atlantic Ocean. Situated mostly in the Armorican Massif, the department covers an area of approximately 2,695 square miles ( 6,815 km²) with a population of 1,052,183 (1990 census).

The Loire-Atlantique boasts 68km of coastline with authentic ports - such as Le Croissac and La Turballe where oyster production & tourism supports the local economy. Here you can embark for the islands of Ponant, Houat or Belle-Isle where the local speciality is 'bass in sea salt' or 'bar en croute de sel'.

This department has 59 cantons and 221 communes The highest point is Bretèche-en-Châteaubriant (377 feet/115 m).

The climate of this seaside department is characterized by mild winters and temperate summers.

Natural attractions include the rugged coast and mysterious salt marshes, the Brière regional nature park and the Nantes/Brest Canal.

Nantes

Formerly the capital of Brittany, Nantes was separated from the region by the Vichy government in June 1941. Although the city has been part of the Pays de la Loire région since 1971, the feeling that Nantes belongs to Brittany is still solid nowadays. For cultural and political reasons, many people still identify with Brittany.

Nantes is France's 6th largest town, located on the Loire Estuary, 50 km from the Atlantic coast. The metropole has an airport and is central to tourist destinations such as the Atlantic coast, Brittany, Anjou and the Vendée.

Nantes is a fascinating city which mixes high-tech industry and modern tower blocks with Art Nouveau squares, canals and a lively medieval centre.

Built on the banks of the Loire, the Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne is both a military fortress and a residential palace. This is where Anne de Bretagne was born in 1477 and where Henri IV signed the Edict of Nantes in 1598, which granted Protestants rights to their religion.

Angers

Angers is the capital of Maine-et-Loire dept, in the historic province of Anjou and is the 16th largest town in France, with 156,000 inhabitants. It is situated along the both banks of Maine River and the southern suburb is situated along the Loire River.

The most notable buildings are the magnificent twin-spiralled Cathedral of Saint Maurice (12th-13th century) and the massive Castle of Angers (early 13th century).

Around the castle are 17 cylindrical towers, which reminds us of the military history of the town. The castle of Angers houses a tapestry museum that includes the famous Apocalypse series of Nicholas Bataille who did the weaving and Hennequin de Bruges did the painting. It is 140 meters long and is the biggest tapestry in the World.

Capital of Anjou and gateway to the Loire valley, Angers is distinguished as much for the richness of its heritage as for its cultural and economic dynamism.