In Loire-Atlantique, there is a medieval town surrounding by amazing scenery: Guérande. Come and explore this Town of Art and History through its extraordinary historical and natural heritage. On one side, you have the salt marshes stretching for over 2,000 hectares and offering a patchwork of shapes and colours. And on the other, a town that is still full of medieval character, as evidenced by the ramparts with six towers and four fortified gates. They are just over 1,300 metres long, and a third of them can be visited by taking the wall walk from the St. John Tower to the St. Anne Tower. Next, enter Guérande through the main entrance, the St. Michael Gate, dating from the 15th century. Then walk along the cobbled streets lined with old houses beneath slate roofs, and head towards the Collegiate Church of St. Albinus. The nave and pillars are all that remains of the original Romanesque church that was burnt down in 1342. The current monument dates from the 15th and 16th centuries and was built in a Flamboyant Gothic style. Also notice the stone arches and stained glass windows from the 19th century. Music-lovers take note: in summer, the collegiate church hosts organ concerts. Also don't forget to visit the 13th-century Chapel of Notre-Dame-la-Blanche, which happens to be the oldest building within the town walls and has a single nave.

Guérande also offers some interesting discoveries outside the town walls: the Porte-Calon Manor whose main building dates back to the 15th century, the 18th-century Ursuline convent, a typical 15th-century Breton "petit pied" windmill known as the Devil's Mill, and the 14th-century Careil Castle, whose medieval façades have wonderful Renaissance dormers.

The Guérande salt marshes are part of Loire-Atlantique's extraordinary natural heritage. This protected natural site covers over 2,000 hectares and uses thousand-year-old production techniques. The salt marsh workers harvest coarse salt and fleur de sel there between June and September. These salt wizards will be delighted to show you their traditional skills.

We cannot talk about the salt marshes without giving their colours a mention. They have the peculiarity of changing throughout the day: from light grey in the morning to purple in the evening through blazing white at noon, they offer a unique spectacle. Not to mention their shapes, which are never the same twice and bring a real authenticity to the place. To find out more, Terre de Sel (a salt-themed tourist attraction) and the Salt Marsh Workers' House in Guérande, along with the Salt Marshes Museum in Batz-sur-Mer will satisfy your curiosity.

Don't forget to bring your binoculars! You will need them to watch the comings and goings of the various bird species that live in the marshes. Bird-watchers will be pleased to see the black-winged stilts and grey herons.

To the west of the Brière marshland in Loire-Atlantique, the village of Kerhinet in the municipality of Saint-Lyphard is as picturesque as can be, and is well worth a visit. It is remarkable for its thatched cottages, adorable houses with thatched roofs made using reeds from the marshes. After being abandoned, the village was entirely restored by the Brière Regional Nature Park with the aim of preserving this exceptional local heritage. So 18 thatched cottages, two bread ovens, a washhouse and a well were "revived".

To help you explore, follow the interpretation path featuring 12 signs explaining the village's past. It will lead you in particular to the Thatched Cottage of Flavours and Crafts, where thirty or so local producers and artisans sell their products. Every Thursday in summer, the local farmers' market is a must if you want to discover the local gastronomy, all in a pastoral atmosphere.

Note that Kerhinet is the starting point for exploring the Brière Regional Nature Park. Head to the Maison du Parc information centre to learn more about the hikes that are available as well as the local fauna and flora.

Spanning 7 kilometres between Le Pouliguen and Le Croisic, the Wild Coast of Loire-Atlantique offers a natural and architectural heritage that's more than remarkable. The series of cliffs, caves, granite coasts and coves, and the diversity of habitats like dune environments and moors, make it an exceptional place where a wide range of fauna and flora live. Nature is queen here, and invites you to discover what she has made over the centuries. The rocks named Dormeur (Sleeper), Aiguilles (Needles), Ours (Bear) and Grand Autel (High Altar) are among the unmissable and surprising natural curiosities. Let your imagination run wild! The Wild Coast also has several sensitive natural areas like Le Croisic Headland, Bonnes Sœurs Bay and La Govelle in Batz-sur-Mer.

Take a walk along the cliffs to discover beaches and unspoilt coves sheltered from the wind, where swimming and shellfish-gathering are walkers' favourite activities.

And then along the Wild Coast, there is also some interesting architectural heritage such as the fort on the Le Croisic Headland, the Vigie de la Romaine look-out, the Chapel of St. Gulstan and the Le Tréhic jetty, nearly 860 metres long.

Welcome to the port of entry to the Brittany coast, welcome to the charming seaside resort of Le Croisic in Loire-Atlantique. Come and stroll around this small town of character with its splendid granite homes, private mansions and corbelled houses lining the quays and alleys. Go to the fishing harbour, breathe in the fresh sea air and sit down at one of the restaurants to taste the local speciality: the pink shrimp called the "bouquet du Croisic". The town has some historic buildings: an old mill, a menhir and a Flamboyant Gothic church.

Le Croisic also boasts an unspoilt coastline, a well-preserved, authentic landscape dotted with coves, beaches and rocks. Walk along the coastal path and admire the ballet of the waves crashing against the cliff. A stunning spectacle. When the tide is low, take the opportunity to gather shellfish on the shore, an activity that the whole family will enjoy! Equally appealing is Le Croisic Océarium, which is home to more than 4,000 marine animals.

Discover the unique maritime heritage of Saint-Nazaire in Loire-Atlantique, famous for its harbour facilities and shipyards! In the city's harbour, the former submarine base invites you to dive head first into this extraordinary world. At the Escal'Atlantic International Ocean Liner Centre, visit the cabins, explore the engine room, the wheelhouse... Climb aboard the Espadon submarine and plunge into the world of abysses, or stand speechless in front of the Chantiers de l'Atlantique, where cruise ships are built. This informative ecomuseum tells the story of the city and its development through the ages. Most importantly, pop up to the submarine base's roof terrace for a panoramic view of the whole harbour. And at sunset, what a light show it offers!

Saint-Nazaire has a beautiful coastline: beaches, sheltered coves, promontories, cliffs, and unspoilt scenery not far from the city centre. Fun fact: Saint-Marc beach was made famous by Jacques Tati, who filmed Mr Hulot's Holiday there. Film buffs will recognise it easily. Also take time to enjoy a pleasant walk along the coastal path or sea front, all the way to the Vieux Môle lighthouse.

Stroll through the city and discover quiet little streets here, old villas there, the covered market, the small harbour of Méan, the "wheelbarrow paths" (the distinctive tiny passages dating from the last century, located in the Méan-Penhoët district)... As you go along, admire the works of street art that decorate some of the buildings in the city.

At the end of July, it's party time in Saint-Nazaire harbour with Les Escales, an event devoted to contemporary music from pop to rock through electro and world music.

Piriac-sur-Mer is one of the localities in Loire-Atlantique to have earned the "Small towns of character" ("petites cités de caractère") label. Here, authenticity and charm reign, as evidenced by the winding cobbled streets and old houses. The alleyways are beautifully adorned with hydrangeas and roses whose scents add even more elegance to the place. Walking among the granite houses, fall under the spell of its fishing harbour as Gustave Flaubert, Émile Zola and Alphonse Daudet did before you. You will also notice that the village exhibits a strong Breton influence, which can be seen in certain buildings but also in its street and house names.

Endowed with an extraordinary natural heritage, Piriac-sur-Mer has 11 kilometres of coastline forged by the sea, alternating between rocks, sandy beaches, caves and secluded coves. The coastal path leading to the Castelli Headland, among other places, will offer you a superb walk amid the splendid landscapes with many scenic viewpoints.

At the heart of the Loire-Atlantique department lies an exceptional territory: the Brière Regional Nature Park. At the heart of the park, the Grande Brière Mottière marshland covers 7,000 hectares and is the second largest marshland in France after the Camargue. This preserved natural area is composed of a labyrinth of canals, reed beds, peat bogs, islands and vast flood-meadows where a diverse range of wildlife thrives. It is not uncommon to come across herons, egrets, bearded reedlings, reed harriers or avocets. The Brière wetlands are also a stopover for many migratory birds. Bird-watchers will be delighted!

There are 700 kilometres of maintained paths, easily enough to satisfy your cravings for the great outdoors. On foot, on horseback, by bike and even by canoe, set off to explore the park and marshland, meet the locals and see some extraordinary sights. To learn more about the fauna and flora, join a guide aboard a chaland, a traditional flat-bottomed boat, for an unusual tour. And for a panoramic view of the marshland and its surroundings, climb up to the bell tower at the Church of Saint-Lyphard. You won't regret it!

Brière Regional Nature Park also possesses an unusual heritage feature: a large number of houses with thatched roofs. There are thought to be around 3,000 of them on the islands dotted about the park. Like on the picturesque island of Fédrun, which has only one road connecting it to the mainland, or in the typical and authentic village of Kerhinet.

Traditional trades like marshland farming, pottery and thatching are still thriving there today. Discover them during your visit!

Pornic on the Jade Coast is a much-loved seaside resort in Loire-Atlantique. With both a fishing harbour and a marina, it offers a perfect combination of relaxation and discovery, where you will be amazed by the beauty of nature. By the sea, on the river or inland, you can see a wide variety of fauna and flora. On foot, by bike or even on horseback, set off for an outing along the Customs Officers' Path, a coastal path along the coves and rocky cliffs that is full of well-preserved heritage.

A really sea-oriented town, it offers a wide range of activities available to make the most of this generous natural environment: shellfish-gathering, fishing in the sea or lake, carrelet net fishing (enthusiasts will have a field day!), boat trips to Noirmoutier Island or to admire the Jade Coast, swimming at the beautiful beaches of L'Étang, La Boutinardière, La Noëveillard and La Source, leisure activities on the water, sports... Also be sure to go and see the pêcheries, little fishing huts at the water's edge that are full of typical local charm.

In Pornic's medieval town centre, wander the narrow streets and climb the steps that wind their way between the fishermen's houses. Also discover its old harbour, with its fishing boats and traditional sailboats, and its picture postcard 13th-century castle.

Take some time out to be pampered at the thalassotherapy centre, and treat yourself to an artisanal ice cream at La Fraiseraie, a real institution in Pornic! Other local specialities: Le Curé Nantais, a little cheese washed with Muscadet wine, and La Brigantine, a craft beer. Enjoy!

Built on the site of an old priory, Suscinio Castle is a fortress built in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, located in Sarzeau in the Gulf of Morbihan.

Set in an estate that is a listed Sensitive Natural Area, the castle's strategic position between land and sea justified the decision by the Dukes of Brittany to make it their residence for several centuries. It deteriorated after being abandoned. The castle became a Historic Monument in 1860 and was bought by the State. Major restoration work in the 60s brought back the prestige of yesteryear to its ruins, saving its six towers, two curtain walls, the residential buildings, inner courtyard, wall-walk and dovecote.

Suscinio Castle, open to visitors all year round, now houses a museum about the history of Brittany and Morbihan.

The environment around this listed monument is worth a visit for the remarkable biodiversity that can be seen there, especially in the marshes and freshwater ponds in the north.

A Town of Art and History, Vannes is located at the gateway to the Gulf of Morbihan, by the Marle estuary in the south of Brittany.

Already fortified by the Romans, the town developed inside its ramparts in medieval times, then outside them in the 17th century, with the construction of many mansions.

The former residence of the Dukes of Brittany, Vannes has a very beautiful historic centre, with 171 half-timbered houses! You can explore it on a guided tour, aboard a little train or on your own at your leisure.

To start with, admire the medieval ramparts, some of the best-preserved in Brittany. This provides an opportunity to take a charming walk along the Garenne, a path that runs alongside them and is dotted with gardens and scenic washhouses.

After exploring the harbour, with its tree-lined quays including the Rabine quay, go through the 17th-century St. Vincent's Gate, created to connect the harbour and the historic quarter. You will enter the old town via a street lined with old buildings, mansions and half-timbered houses. Go up to Place des Lices, where the market halls of 1912 await you. Devoted to culinary products, they are open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday mornings, as well as all day on Saturdays.

Not far from there, the Cathedral of St. Peter, built in the 15th century and modified until the end of the 19th century, contains the tomb of the town's patron saint, St. Vincent Ferrer.

Two unmissable sites await you: the Garenne washhouse, which dates from the 19th century, and "Vannes and his wife", at the corner of Rue du Bienheureux Pierre-René Rogue and Rue Noé. These two painted, smiling figures appear on the façade of a 16th-century house that is a listed Historic Monument.

Nearby is the museum of history and archaeology at Château Gaillard, a mansion from the early 15th century. Other sights to see are the Museum of Fine Arts, which has some fine collections about Breton heritage, on Rue Cohue, an old medieval market hall, and the Saint-Patern district, the oldest area of the town.

When it comes to events, the Fêtes historiques de Vannes history festival is celebrated in mid-July. Jazz has pride of place at Jazz en Ville, in July-August.

Vannes is an ideal starting point to explore the Gulf of Morbihan by boat: around forty islands have been counted, excluding islets, each with its own characteristics. They include Arz, Moines Island, Houat, Hoëdic, etc.

The Gois passage is a 4.5-km long tidal causeway which connects at low tide the Noirmoutier island to Beauvoir-sur-Mer on the continent.

Before the Noirmoutier bridge was built in 1971, the Gois passage was the only passable way allowing to reach the island. Today a tourist attraction, the Gois passage is also enjoyed by fishermen on foot. At rising tide, the rescue towers located all along the Passage du Gois are lifesavers for the careless people unable to make it back to the coast in time.

An unusual sports event is held in May, the Foulées du Gois: a running race over the Passage du Gois... at rising tide!

A genuine inland sea 5 kilometres wide and 21 long, the Gulf of Morbihan is a listed Regional Nature Park and a member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club. It has some forty islands, each with its own particularities.

Open to the ocean via a corridor between Port-Navalo and Locmariaquer, enclosed by the Rhuys Peninsula, this magnificent, wild territory of coves, rocks and islets is a paradise for around 150,000 birds (stilts, red-breasted mergansers, little egrets, seagulls and other gulls), and lovers of marine landscapes.

Its mild and sunny climate helps to make the Gulf of Morbihan an ideal holiday destination, popular with holidaymakers for its beauty spots, water sports including sailing, boating between the islands, hikes, picturesque fishing ports and tide mills…

Boat trips are possible there all year round, with activity peaking in the summer season.

From Vannes, Baden, Locmariaquer or Port-Navalo, you can set off to explore the bay and a few of its islands, starting with the largest: Arz, which offers a beautiful view of the islands and will take you to the Berno headland tide mill; and the Moines Island, covered in woodland.

Everywhere, you come face to face with the sea, nature and wildlife, and experience the sea air and the feeling of freedom. Tip for walkers: there is a path you can take to explore the whole of the gulf.

Seafood fans, you will be delighted: the Gulf of Morbihan produces 10% of France's oysters! Don't hesitate to visit a farm to learn more about oyster production, or visit one of the gulf's many restaurants to sample them.

Also worth trying are the Breton sea water beer, honey, cider, pancakes, kouign amann and shortbread (all butter!). These jewels in Brittany's gastronomic crown will fit easily into your luggage.

Another curiosity: the old Lasné salt marsh in Saint-Armel, renovated in 2003, which produces 8 tonnes of salt a year.

Last but not least, you can't see the Gulf of Morbihan without stopping by Vannes, the two-thousand-year-old town of the Dukes of Brittany!

The Noirmoutier island benefits from a microclimate that is perfectly adapted to mimosa flowering. With a surface area of 49 km², the landscapes of the island alternate between between sandy beaches, dunes, creeks, pine and holm oak woods, and salt marshes.

Noirmoutier-en-l'Île, the capital of the island, is a wonderful place to visit with its narrow streets lined with beautiful white houses, its 12th-century port, its church and its medieval castle home to a museum about the history of the island.

The Traditions museum situated in La Guérinière recounts the island's activities and traditions through a collection of objects and costumes, as well as room reconstructions.

Not to be missed: Bois de la Chaise wood fronted by a pretty sandy beach with beach huts. This is where Souzeaux promenade begins, a beautiful walkway along the sea.

Equipped with numerous bicycle paths, the Noirmoutier island is great place to cycle. An excellent way to discover the treasures of the island...

Famous for its salt, the Noirmoutier island is also well known for oysters and bonnottes, a new potato with a unique flavour.