Maine-et-Loire can be explored through two major attractions: the cultural landscape along the Loire and a remarkable variety of natural areas. Castles, troglodyte sites and local produce complete the picture.

River landscapes and natural areas

The Confluence Maine-Loire et Coteaux Angevins landscape area covers more than 2,000 hectares. It includes riverside landscapes along the Loire and Maine, the vineyards of Savennières and historic sites. The river, winegrowing and history together shape the character of this landscape. The section of the Loire Valley from Sully-sur-Loire to Chalonnes-sur-Loire that lies in Maine-et-Loire has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since November 30, 2000. The designation recognizes an exceptional cultural landscape along the Loire.

Natural areas can also be explored at different scales. Across the department, 89 sensitive natural areas are divided among six landscape types. In eastern Maine-et-Loire, the Loire Valley Natura 2000 site from Ponts-de-Cé to Montsoreau stretches for 53 kilometers and covers around 9,400 hectares; it includes 24 municipalities. Among its more than 30 bird species of conservation concern are common terns and ospreys.

The Joreau Regional Nature Reserve combines 92 hectares of woodland with a seven-hectare pond. Nearly 700 species live there across around 20 habitats. The area is open to the public for hiking and fishing, as well as walks around the pond and through the forest. Joreau offers a distinct nature-focused destination where water, woodland and biodiversity come together.

Cultural heritage between the Loire and Anjou

The cultural heritage is not limited to a handful of well-known buildings: nearly 800 buildings in Maine-et-Loire are classified or registered as historic monuments. There are also more than 6,500 classified or registered works of art, held at over 700 heritage sites. This offers many different ways to explore the history of architecture and collections.

Between Angers and Saumur, Anjou has nearly 1,200 châteaux, including fortresses, Renaissance châteaux and underground heritage sites. One specific example is the Château d’Angers, which houses the Tenture de l’Apocalypse; its ramparts also offer panoramic views. The UNESCO designation of the Loire Valley draws attention to the cultural landscape as a whole, not just individual attractions.

Activities and local produce

For a cycling trip, La Loire à Vélo offers a clearly defined stretch: the route from Bouchemaine to Chalonnes-sur-Loire is 20.33 kilometers long and rated as suitable for beginners and families. The Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine offers another way to discover the landscape and wildlife. It is set across a 17-hectare troglodyte site and features more than 2,000 animals from 130 species, underground galleries and large aviaries.

The region’s agricultural profile also offers its own highlights. Carrots, garlic, onions and shallots are grown in the Authion Valley. Around Saumur, crops include asparagus, green beans, artichokes, lettuce, kiwis, blueberries and strawberries. Those interested in local produce can use these differences to help choose a theme for their trip. Maine-et-Loire can be explored through its heritage, nature, cycling or agriculture, without having to follow a set itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Angrie, Brain-Sur-Allonnes, Champtocé-Sur-Loire, Fontaine-Guérin, Les Verchers-Sur-Layon, Meigné-Le-Vicomte, Saint-Paul-Du-Bois, Saint-Rémy-En-Mauges, Thorigné-D’anjou, Le Fuilet, Montrevault, Coutures, Brissac-Quincé, Vivy, Saumur, Saint-Sylvain-Dʼanjou, Saint-Martin-De-La-Place, Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent, Montreuil-Bellay, Les Ponts-De-Cé, Le Puy-Notre-Dame, Fontevrault-L'abbaye, Doué-La-Fontaine, Distré, Cholet, Chanzeaux, Champigné, Chaintré, Beaucouzé, Avrillé, Angers, Trélazé, Segré, Le Pin-En-Mauges, Longué-Jumelles, La Pommeraye, Le Mesnil-En-Vallée, Chigné, Antoigné, Chenillé-Changé, Landemont, Saint-Mathurin-Sur-Loire, Vernantes, Montsoreau, Ingrandes, Briollay, Le Vieil-Baugé, La Breille-Les-Pins, Morannes, Champtoceaux, Parnay, La Salle-De-Vihiers, Châteauneuf-Sur-Sarthe, Turquant, Contigné, Saint-Pierre-Montlimart, Vihiers, Beaufort-En-Vallée, Saint-Crespin-Sur-Moine, Durtal, Saint-André-De-La-Marche, Chemellier, Andrezé, Montjean-Sur-Loire, Combrée, Linières-Bouton, La Jumellière, Le Coudray-Macouard, Villedieu-La-Blouère, Challain-La-Potherie, La Jaille-Yvon, La Romagne, Bécon-Les-Granits, Cizay-La-Madeleine, Châtelais, Brion, Parçay-Les-Pins, Le Louroux-Béconnais, Feneu, La Fosse-De-Tigné, Faye-D'anjou, Beaupréau, Gennes, Saint-Jean-Des-Mauvrets, Drain, Blaison-Gohier, Blou, Beaulieu-Sur-Layon, Brissarthe, Saint-Georges-Sur-Loire, Tigné, Grez-Neuville, Rochefort-Sur-Loire, Neuillé, Jarzé, Maulévrier, Trémont, Vezins, Nuaillé, Vaudelnay, Chavagnes, Les Rosiers-Sur-Loire, Saint-Philbert-Du-Peuple, Corné, Chambellay, Charcé-Saint-Ellier-Sur-Aubance, Gesté, Yzernay, Marigné, Vauchrétien, Noëllet, Saint-Michel-Et-Chanveaux, Courléon, Baugé En Anjou, Saint-Sigismond, Le Longeron, La Cornuaille, La Daguenière, Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault, Coron, Broc, Chaudefonds-Sur-Layon, Saint-Lambert-Du-Lattay, Saint-Aubin-De-Luigné, Champ-Sur-Layon, Varrains, Faveraye-Mâchelles, Passavant-Sur-Layon, Montfaucon-Montigné, Juigné-Sur-Loire, La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Savennières, Montilliers, Grézillé, La Séguinière, Daumeray, La Chapelle-Sur-Oudon, Nueil-Sur-Layon, Martigné-Briand, Clefs-Val D'anjou, Tillières, La Boissière-Sur-Èvre, Saint-Melaine-Sur-Aubance, Saint-Laurent-De-La-Plaine, Loiré, Liré, Cheviré-Le-Rouge, Chazé-Henry, La Bohalle, Genneteil, Beauvau, Artannes-Sur-Thouet, Noyant-La-Plaine, Bouchemaine, Bauné, Saint-Rémy-La-Varenne, Seiches-Sur-Le-Loir, Pouancé, Saint-Clément-De-La-Place, Noyant, Méon, Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Chemillé-Melay, Mûrs-Erigné, Louresse-Rochemenier, Les Rairies, Écuillé, Auverse, Cantenay-Épinard, Le Guédeniau, Cheffes, Souzay-Champigny, Ambillou-Château, Sainte-Christine, Montreuil-sur-Maine, Jallais, Saint-Philbert-en-Mauges, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Saint-Barthélemy-d'Anjou, Mazé, Saint-Macaire-en-Mauges, Brain-sur-l'Authion, Chemiré-sur-Sarthe, Mouliherne, Neuvy-en-Mauges, Roussay, Saint-Clément-des-Levées, Marcé, Vernoil-le-Fourrier, Varennes-sur-Loire, Saint-Martin-du-Bois, Saint-Georges-des-Sept-Voies, Chazé-sur-Argos, Les Ulmes, La Ménitré, Soucelles, Sainte-Gemmes-d'Andigné, Le Bourg-d'Iré, Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux, Pruillé

For the regional travel overview: Pays De La Loire.