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Summer on the Atlantic Coast The Loire River, an exceptional heritage The Natural World and the charm of the rivers Art de vivre Life and heritage The charm of the towns of Pays de la Loire The main events Exceptional cultural sites Chateau Life The cities and urban tourism Not to be missed in 2009   My trip favorites   Send a sound e-card   Literature Search     See the latest newsletter

Small Towns of Character Treasures awaiting your discovery in the Pays de la Loire On arrival, you will be amazed to find, nestling among the calm green surroundings, a Roman cloister, a medieval fortress or an exceptional viewpoint from a terraced rock. Next, you’ll notice the friendly village atmosphere! Yes, this is one of our "Petites Cités de Caractère", where authenticity and diversity are made the most of, and where you’ll want to hang around ! Fontenay-le-Comte An architectural pearl of the Vendée Fontenay-le-Comte is over one thousand years old, and a classified “Ville d'art et d'histoire”. Its history –which was for many years tied to that of the most powerful Poitevin families – has made it the influential capital of the Vendée. Its architectural heritage, including the Notre-Dame church and the Fontaine des Quatre-Tiasis, is of rare quality. The city is also the gateway to two important tourist destinations: The Poitevin Marsh and the Mervent Forest! Guérande A medieval city! The beautifully preserved fortified city of Guérande offers a very pleasant stroll at the heart of the fortifications which shelter typical houses and remarkable monuments: the Porte Saint-Michel, the Collégiale Saint-Aubin... The city’s prosperity has been founded for more than a thousand years on the salt trade. Here, you can connect with the medieval atmosphere just by wandering through the narrow streets, which are brought to life by artisan’s workshops and numerous shops! Villes & Villages Fleuris Pays de la Loire, the top French region Over the years, the communes of the Pays de la Loire have shown increasing interest in the yellow sign, stamped with 1,2,3 or 4 flowers, and indicating the award of the title ‘fleuri’ to towns and villages. The Pays de la Loire region is now a national leader in terms of the number of communes classified as Villes et Villages Fleuris. A sign of dynamism and quality of life, the blossoming of our small towns and villages shows the significance given to environment and living conditions in the Pays de la Loire. - See the list of 2004 prizewinners - Localise the 2004 winners La Ferté-Bernard “Little Venice of the West” This little village, steeped in history, is criss-crossed with canals and can be visited by barge! It’s the prettiest way to breathe in its rich medieval heritage, a vestige of earlier greatness. Above all, it still has one of the Sarthe’s most beautiful churches, Notre-Dame-des-Marais. In the heart of Perche Sarthois, make a stop at La Ferté-Bernard – now is the time to discover a verdant region which boasts an exceptional heritage!