Pack your bags and enjoy some time away from the kids! Fill your itinerary with grown up fun from this list of 10 Things To Do in Pays de la Loire while Camping in France
In fact each year, 89 million people visit France. With its excellent food, beautiful landscape and deep history, who can blame them?
A holiday in Pays de la Loire is the perfect way to experience France and get away from the kids! But when most holiday brochures seem to be full of theme parks and kids adventure days, it can be a bit tricky to find grown-up fun.
Don’t worry, we have you covered.
Fill your itinerary with this list of ten must-do activities in Pays de la Loire!
10 Things To Do in Pays de la Loire while Camping in France
1. The Chateau of the Dukes of Brittany
In Nantes? Why not start with a walking tour of the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany? You can find this beautiful building with its distinct white turrets in the city center.
Built in the 15th Century by Francis II, the house has a great museum that takes you through the history of Nantes. Information is available in English and a variety of languages.
You will learn the history of the Dukes and the castle, all the way to the colonial period.
2. Wine Tasting and Tour of the Vendee Vineyard
Why not take a tour of a traditional vineyard?
This vineyard still uses traditional methods when making their wine. You will be taken on a tour, where you can learn more about the processes and the types of wine they are able to produce.
As well as a tour, you will be able to take part in a wine tasting session, sampling the very best this beautiful vineyard has to offer. You will also be able to buy the wines you taste to take home with you too.
3. Private Walking Tour of Nantes
To submerge yourself in the local culture and history, you can take a private 2 hours walking tour of Nantes. Your guide will show you the historic streets and squares including Place du Commerce.
Sites you will see include the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul and the Basilique Saint-Nicolas. You will also get to go into the Passage Pommeraye, a shopping arcade that has been classified as a historical monument.
4. The Grand Elephant
While in the region be sure to check out the Isle de Nantes and the attractions it has to offer. One such once in a lifetime experience includes taking a ride on The Grand Elephant.
The Grand Elephant is 40ft tall and made of wood. You can watch him leave his warehouse to wander the city. It is possible to take a 30-minute ride on the elephant with balconies at the sides or a canopy covered terrace at the top.
5. Trentemoult
Going past the Isle de Nantes by shuttle boat will bring you to the old fishing village of Trentemoult. This little village with brightly colored houses and narrow streets is no longer a fishing village, rather a home for artists.
The artist community has helped to keep that authentic 19th century feel to the village.
You can visit La Civelle, a restaurant situated by the water and share a meal overlooking the harbor. Or you can dine al fresco on the wooden terrace overlooking the romantic setting of the water’s edge.
6. The Estuary Arts Trail
For all you art lovers, make sure to check out the Estuary Arts Trail.
As you walk down both sides of the river, you will see impressive large-scale installations, architectural projects, and sculptures — all from international artists. There are 28 to see in total, along with the 60-kilometer trail.
A particular favorite is the house standing at an angle in the middle of the Loire. If you’re not expecting it, it can be quite the shock!
7. Horse Ride in the Loire Valley
What better way to discover the beautiful sites nature has to offer in the Loir Valley than by seeing it on horseback?
The equestrian center offers a variety of options from walks lasting 1 hour to hikes lasting several days. You’ll be sure to make the most of your time out in nature.
Heading out in groups of 5-10 riders, all abilities are welcome, even beginners. The facility also welcomes people with disabilities.
8. Cathedrale de St-Pierre-et-St-Paul
Built in local white stone and started in 1434, the cathedral wasn’t finished until the late 19th century! Gothic in style, it cuts an impressive figure in the skyline.
If you are interested in the history of the Dukes of Brittany, you can find the tombs of Francis II and his wife Margaret. They were the parents of Anne de Bretagne (1477-1514) who married two French kings in succession! Canny priests were able to remove the tombs in time to save them from destruction during the French Revolution.
9. Parc Oriental de Maulevrier
For a little taste of the far East in France, there is the Parc Oriental de Maulevrier. It boasts the largest Japanese gardens in Europe.
It is modeled on the promenade parts of the Edo period (17th-19th Century). Water is the main feature here, flowing from east to west. The watercourses meet in a pond in the middle of the park, marking the heart.
Here you can get involved in events all year round in this peaceful setting. Many of them featuring Japanese traditions including Kyudo lessons.
10. Vendee Parachute Jump
For those of you with a more with a more adventurous side, consider taking part in a tandem skydive. Vendee Evasion will take you up 4000 meters with the Bay of Les Sables d’Olonne as the setting for your dive.
If the adrenaline doesn’t get the best of you, you’ll receive spectacular views of the Ile d’Yeu, Ile de Re, and Ile d’Oleron. If you get a taste for adventure you can go on accelerated free fall jumps, a combo of ground school and training jumps.
Booking a campsite in Pays de la Loire
As you can see there is no end of things to do in Pays de la Loire.
Whether you want to take in the culture, view the scenery or something a bit more extreme, this region has it all. And this is just a handful of what Pays de la Loire has to offer.
If you are arranging your holiday, check us out at Campsited. We connect holidaymakers with campsites through our easy-to-use online booking system, providing you with greater choice in a painless package.
Check out the bookable campsites in Pays de la Loire and start planning the best things to do in Pays de la Loire while Camping in France.
