10 Things to do in Pays de la Loire That You Shouldn't Miss

The apparent austerity of this shale and limestone fortress, which the young king Louis IX had built on the edge of his kingdom in the 13th century, contrasts with the tranquil grounds inside the castle walls and the pleasant residence of the Dukes of Anjou, composed of buildings constructed at the end of the Gothic era. To transform and embellish the castle into a more welcoming home for the Anjou court, terraces and gardens were laid out, galleries built and the gateway erected. The star attraction within the walls of the Château d’Angers is the Tapestry of the Apocalypse or woven in 1375. With its 104 metres in length, it is the largest medieval tapestry anywhere in the world. Open: > 2nd May to 4th September: from 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. > 5th September to 30th April: from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Last admission 45 minutes before closing time. Closed: > 1st January, 1st May and 25th December.

Come and discover the exciting story of the 24 Heures du Mans and the legendary heroes. Through 120 vehicles, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest tells you the epic of the automobile in the Sarthe and the success of its international event. Bentley, Ferrari, Jaguar, Ford, Porsche, Matra, Audi ... all the big names are represented by their mythical models that immerse the visitor in the world's greatest endurance race. 300m² of temporary exhibitions complete this themed route, which can be continued by visiting the famous 24 Heures du Mans circuit.

The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany houses the Nantes History Museum, displaying more than 850 historic objects with multimedia installations in a contemporary layout. The former ducal palace also holds temporary exhibitions and cultural events all year round. Besides, the rampart walk offers a number of viewpoints of the fortress. The night-time illuminations further reveal the architectural complexity of the site. A restaurant and a gift shop are as well at your service.

A narrow passage covered with a glass ceiling consisting of three levels of shopping galleries.

The Puy du Fou features a multitude of spectacular shows, adventures for the whole family and new astonishments every year. Experience different centuries surrounded by unspoilt countryside and an even more exciting time staying in one of the Puy du Fou's four original hotels. At the Puy du Fou, history is waiting for you!

The Machines de l’Ile is an artistic and a tourist project. It is a blend of the invented worlds of Jules Verne, the mechanical universe of Leonardo da Vinci, and the industrial history of Nantes, on an exceptional site in the former shipyards. A ride on the 12-meter tall Great Elephant, climb aboard the Marine Worlds Carrousel of 27 moving sea creatures or the Heron Tree to fly over the hanging gardens.

The Botanical Garden: at the heart of plants The Botanical Gardens of Nantes, with 7 hectares of green spaces in the centre of town, more than 10,000 living species, 800 square metres of greenhouses and more than 50,00 flowers planted each season, holder of the Remarkable Garden label, is among the four leading botanical gardens in France. The collections have developed and specialised over 150 years. The Botanical Garden, which is both a scientific and a pleasure garden, has become a world reference, especially for its camellia collection which is unique in France, for the culture of epiphytic* plants in a semi-natural setting and for its permanent concern for the re-introduction of rare species. As an example we will cite the wild tulip, which disappeared in the 1970s and was reintroduced in 2010 in the vineyards of the region. Its great beauty in all seasons and its remarkable specimens (Hectot's Magnolia, American tulip tree and more recently a Wollemi pine, etc.) make the Botanical Garden a major tourist attraction in Nantes, visited every year by more than 1.2 million visitors. * Plants that grow on other plants without being parasites. The Botanical Garden Rue Stanislas-Baudry - Nantes Summer: 8:30 am - 8 pm Spring, autumn: 8:30 am - 6:30 pm Winter: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Tram line 1, SNCF train station stop Bus 12, SNCF train station stop Greenhouse visit (by reservation) Wednesday: 3:15 pm Thursday: 12:30 pm Friday: 3 pm Saturday: 3 pm and 4 pm (all year round); 5 pm (from 15 January to 17 November). Sunday: 10 am, 11 am, 3 pm and 4 pm (all year round); 5 pm (from 15 January to 17 November). Additional services Orangery cafe Restaurant - Tearoom Merry-go-round All year round from 10 am to 6 pm