Pays de la Loire People & Culture

La Flèche is one of the first poles of tourism in the Loire Valley, Sarthe. The population is approximately 17 000 people. It's about 45 kilometres from le Mans and from Angers. You can get to this town by the autoroute A 11 and by the RN 23, which begins approximately 4 km from le Mans train station.

An idyllic quiet little village less than an hour from Nantes - take a walk along the river Erdre to savour the peace, go to the local pizzeria that churns out the most marvellous pizzas, and simply relax amidst some wonderful people - of course, I go there for personal interests very often... it is not on the tourist trail by any chance...

La Sauzaie: a place in Bretignolles-sur-Mer where's located the best surfing spot around! La Sauzaie is a reaf, in contradiction to the other spots of Bretignolles, wich are beach breaks. Every year there's a 4 stars WQS (World Qualifiying Series) taking place at La Sauzaie - wich attracts many local surfing fans and interested persons, but alos some of the best surfers around the WQS circuit. The local surf shop and school Atlantic Lezard and the local surf club Breti Surf Team is present at the competition and help with its organisation.
This competition is a good way to meet local peoples, if you want to meet local surfers, come at any other time of the year, take your board and gain their respect ;)

Ile d'Yeu is a small island in the west of France. An island with only a very few people, nearly no cars and full of nature! You can find there plants, you couldn't even imagine they exist! Nice view in the evening when the sun set is behind the cliffs! Quite difficult to get there (by ship or private plane)

great for surf !! and nude people too !

a very local place, has the feel of a country village. is twinned with scarborough, england along with munich, germany and other places worldwide. Although the locals are used to a variety of culture the effort of speaking french is much apprecitated.

a lot of good clubs beautiful sourounding...hip hop culture on the top...very culture place a lot to see...castle,park a modern dance theatre I prefered:)

Really great town. Nightlife very "cosy". If you do not like French music though rather tough... Food as you could expect it to be in France. Sightseeing: castle and cathedral and a huge stairway to the cathedral, but that's about it...

Be sure to visit Le Trans Musicales at Nantes each year - mostly undiscovered electronic music..!

Well La Rochelle is a pretty little town on the Atlantic coast of France. It's Famous for its long beaches and nearby isles like Ille de Re. The citycentre is cosy and there are some great shops. You should really take a boat trip to Fort Boyaert (I don't know if that's the right spelling) it is a fortress in the sea. At night you should certainly explore the local cuisine. Fish dishes are recommended.

Go for the seafood ... the fish was great and from the number of 'moules et frites' joints dotting its shore, they must have been a treat too ... a great city if you love the sea and sailor style...

Je ne finirais jamais de m'extasier sur cette ville. Pourtant, la plage blindée de monde ferait fuir les moins claustrophobes et il n'y a rien à faire de particulier.
Mais j'y vais depuis mon enfance et cette ville me ressource. Tout y est si calme, les gens sont adorables, j'adore m'asseoir le soir sur la plage (en journée aussi mais hors saison) et regarder la mer, écouter le bruit des vagues. Et me promener dans les bois, faire un peu de sport en faisant le parcours de santé (CRAPA), bronzer au soleil comme un lézard et faire ma sieste dans le hamac. Que du bonheur!
Sinon allez boire un coup chez Thierry (qui fait aussi de l'hôtellerie d'ailleurs), il est génial!
Et domage vous ne pourrez plus manger à La Marée mais c'était un restaurant vraiment bien (et c'est pas parce que j'y ai travaillé 3 ans que je dis ça...).
Bref cette ville est un havre de paix, de tranquillité et de bonheur!

location for the 24hour race - which Dane Tom Christensen has participated to winning now 8 times!

Pour manger une crêpe sur les rochers avec vue directe sur la mer...là encore gare aux moustiques le soir.

Major surf spots here
Les Conches (surf) Embarcadere (windsurf) Good surf-shop: Le Palmier (opposit a cycle rental shop)

you can go to fort boyard of the coast of ile d'Oleron

My town! i don t really like it It s getting bigger and bigger. You don t have to expect anything of this place!