France’s Natural Garden
Pays de la Loire, France
Pays de la Loire, the region west of Paris, is known as the garden of France. Fairytale chateaus and mansions, exceptionally picturesque landscapes, and one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe Рthe Loire valley is a sight for sore eyes. Stay at the Domaine des Hauts de Loire, a Relais & Ch̢teaux hotel ideally situated with charming rooms overlooking the park, gardens and local countryside. Make it a road trip and continue to Le Mans, Nantes and Angers; ideal for those wishing to discover the urban culture of today. Heritage lovers will enjoy visiting Saumur, Laval and La Roche-sur-Yon.
For those wishing to be in touch with nature and/or to be active while contemplating beautiful scenery, Pays de la Loire is rich in farmland, marshes, pine forests, vineyards, cereal crops, vegetable plots and orchards. You will enjoy the vast marshes of Briere or the Marais Poitevin. Don’t miss the countless rivers and streams of le Loire, la Maine, la Sevre nantaise, la Mayenne or la Sarthe, to name a few. And nothing beats taking a boat or canoe, coupled with observing the hundreds of birds nesting on the shores.
It is well worth a trip to Val de Loire, to visit Château de Chenonceau, an outstanding castle built directly on the River Cher, and Château d’Amboise - where Leonardo da Vinci was residing for some time, and was finally buried there.