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!

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.

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!

With its beautiful sandy beach, the seaside resort of La Baule in Loire-Atlantique is an ideal destination for lovers of swimming and sunbathing. Numerous sports and relaxation activities await you: walk on the beach, cycle or rollerblade, go putting on a golf course, glide on the water aboard a catamaran or kitesurfer... Stroll through the streets, do a little shopping, daydream in front of the luxury hotels, treat yourself to a gourmet meal in one of the restaurants or try your luck at the casino! La Baule also has several thalassotherapy centres, some of which are located in magnificent buildings that are worth the trip just to admire their architecture. If you go a little further away from the lively town centre, you will have the opportunity to see some very beautiful villas from the turn of the 20th century.

La Baule is also known for its stunning bay, a member of the club of the world's most beautiful bays. 9 kilometres long, it connects Pornichet to Pouliguen and offers many activities: horse-riding or sailing, jogging, romantic walks at sunset, sandcastle-building, kite-flying... Not forgetting a sweet treat at one of the many ice cream stands!

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 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!

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.

Crossed by many small canals, the Breton marsh in the Vendée extends over 45,000 hectares of wetland. This natural environment is home to a very rich fauna and flora.

The Daviaud heritage museum in La Barre-de-Monts is a discovery centre of the Breton marsh in the Vendée.

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.

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.

The seaside resort of Saint-Jean-de-Monts offers visitors a beautiful 8-km long sandy beach. Water sports, wind sports and numerous leisure activities, especially for children, are on offer.

The history museum of the city of Nantes since 1924, the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany Museum is the last castle on the banks of the River Loire before it reaches the ocean, and is based in buildings dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries. This is where Duchess Anne of Brittany was born, and where Henry IV signed the Edict of Nantes, authorising Protestants to freely practise their religion.

The 7 sequences spread across 32 rooms, whose design was fully overhauled in 2016, make up a museum trail that tells the story of the city, from ducal Brittany to the city of today, through port and industrial activities and social movements.

Major historical events are explored extensively, from the Edict of Nantes to "black gold", from the Revolution to the two World Wars, through a collection of over 1,000 objects. The trail ends with a vision of the city, a multimedia creation by the contemporary artist Pierrick Sorin.

Visitors can enjoy guided or self-guided tours, and the site regularly hosts exhibitions.

Nestled at the confluence of the Loire and Erdre rivers, Nantes is a surprising city in the Loire-Atlantique department, elegantly oscillating between past and modernity.

Start your visit with the old town, a nice place to stroll around where you can discover many historic buildings. The Gothic Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul has a beautiful tuffeau interior and is lit by a huge 25-metre-tall stained glass window, dedicated to the Breton saints. It is here, in the right arm of the transept, that the tomb of Francis II is located.

As you continue your walk, you can admire various 18th and 19th-century buildings and half-timbered houses in the old Le Bouffay district. Feel like doing a little shopping or satisfying your appetite? Visit the Passage Pommeraye, a superb 19th-century covered mall. You will find shops and restaurants on its three floors. Notice the beautiful wooden and metal staircase, glass roof and fluted columns!

The 15th-century Castle of the Dukes of Brittany stands at the heart of the old town, which earned Nantes the moniker of City of Dukes. It was once a fortress, as evidenced by the moat and towers with Breton machicolations. The tower of the Golden Crown, the well with wrought iron armatures featuring the ducal crown, and the large dwelling designed for Francis II and adorned with Gothic dormers are among the castle's must-see sights. In addition, the castle houses the Nantes History Museum, which offers an unusual way to discover the city. You follow a trail divided into seven sequences, from Francis I to the present day, as well as industrial Nantes and its current revival.

Make a detour via the Quai de la Fosse to admire some 18th-century residences and go as far as number 86: now outbuildings for the Durbé mansion, they were once used as a warehouse by the French East India Company.

Nantes has many green spaces such as the Japanese garden and its waterfalls, located on the Ile de Versailles. With a rich collection of cacti and flora from Brittany but also North America, Asia and Africa, the Botanical Garden (Jardin des Plantes), adorned with water features, is another pleasant place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Into art and history? Head to the Fine Arts Museum where around a thousand works are exhibited, including European paintings dating from the 13th century to the present day. The Natural History Museum has beautiful collections on different themes: zoology, regional wildlife and mineralogy. As you walk along its paths, you will be awestruck by the spectacular skeletons of a fin whale and a basilosaurus isis - the ancestor of the whale and the only such specimen in France.

Your tour of Nantes now continues with the Ile Feydeau, which was once a marshy island. In 1926, the city decided to fill in the arms of the River Loire and the island was thus attached to the city.

Then head to the Ile de Nantes to discover an extraordinary attraction: the Machines of the Isle (Les Machines de l'île). This exhibition space is often likened to a skilful blend of the world of Jules Verne and the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci. What you will see is unique: animals made of wood and steel, arranged in scenes in a surprising gallery. Go for a ride on the elephant, a gigantic structure with room for about fifty passengers. Set off to discover the world of the sea at the Marine World Carousel, whose dimensions are dizzying: 25 metres tall and 22 metres in diameter! Inside this mechanical aquarium, all aspects of the sea are revealed, from the deepest abysses to the surface, not forgetting the sea beds.

Finish this extraordinary tour at the workshop terraces: this is where the awe-inspiring creatures are made, and you can even watch their creators building them.

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.