Maine-et-Loire: Loire landscapes, cultural heritage and nature

A landscape area covering more than 2,000 hectares lies where the Maine and Loire rivers meet and among the Anjou hills. It includes riverside landscapes along both rivers, the Savennières vineyards and historic sites. This combination of river scenery, winegrowing and history offers several ways to explore Maine-et-Loire.

Loire Landscapes and Cultural Heritage

The section of the Val de Loire inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List stretches from Sully-sur-Loire to Chalonnes-sur-Loire in Maine-et-Loire. It has been inscribed since November 30, 2000, in recognition of an exceptional cultural landscape along the Loire. The focus is therefore on the river landscape as a whole, not just a single building.

In eastern Maine-et-Loire, the Loire Valley Natura 2000 site stretches from Ponts-de-Cé to Montsoreau. It covers 53 kilometers, around 9,400 hectares and 24 municipalities. More than 30 species of heritage birds find habitat there, including common terns and ospreys. These named species give nature enthusiasts specific points of interest across this extensive landscape.

Experience Nature

The Joreau Regional Nature Reserve combines 92 hectares of woodland with a seven-hectare pond. Nearly 700 species live across around 20 habitats. The reserve is open to the public: you can hike, fish, or go for a walk by the pond and through the woods. Both woodland and water are integral to this natural environment.

The Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine offers a different focus. The 17-hectare site is set in a troglodytic landscape and includes underground galleries and large aviaries. More than 2,000 animals from 130 species live there; animal numbers may change. A visit to the Bioparc puts wildlife and aviaries center stage, while Joreau combines woodland, a pond and outdoor activities.

Castles, Art and Local Produce

Anjou has nearly 1,200 castles. Between Angers and Saumur, they range from fortresses and Renaissance castles to underground heritage sites. The Château d’Angers houses the Tenture de l’Apocalypse; the ramparts offer panoramic views. The artwork and the views are two distinct ways to appreciate the building.

The department’s broader cultural heritage encompasses more than castles. In February 2025, nearly 800 buildings in Maine-et-Loire were classified or registered as historic monuments. More than 6,500 classified or registered works of art were associated with over 700 places where they are preserved. This gives an impression of the region’s diversity: its heritage includes not only landmark buildings but also numerous works of art.

Agriculture offers another way to distinguish the subregions. Carrots, garlic, onions and shallots are grown in the Authion Valley; in the Saumur area, crops include asparagus, green beans, artichokes, lettuce, kiwis, blueberries and strawberries. If you are interested in local produce, these are some specific differences between the two areas.

A Stage on the Loire à Vélo

The Loire à Vélo stage from Bouchemaine to Chalonnes-sur-Loire is 20.33 kilometers long and rated as a route for beginners and families. These details apply to the stage specified; published route information may change. Check the latest stage details before planning.

Then compare the location of a specific accommodation with the places you plan to visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Feneu, La Fosse-De-Tigné, Faye-D'anjou, 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, Saint-Melaine-Sur-Aubance, Saint-Laurent-De-La-Plaine, Loiré, Liré, Cheviré-Le-Rouge, Chazé-Henry, La Bohalle, Ambillou-Château, Sainte-Christine, 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, Gennes, Saint-Jean-Des-Mauvrets, Drain, Blaison-Gohier, Blou, Beaulieu-Sur-Layon, Vezins, Nuaillé, Grez-Neuville, Brissarthe, Saint-Georges-Sur-Loire, Tigné, Andrezé, Contigné, 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, Doué-La-Fontaine, Distré, Cholet, La Ménitré, Soucelles, Sainte-Gemmes-d'Andigné, Le Bourg-d'Iré, Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux, Pruillé, 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, Maulévrier, 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, 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, Vaudelnay, Chavagnes, Les Rosiers-Sur-Loire, Mouliherne, Neuvy-en-Mauges, Montfaucon-Montigné, Roussay, Chanzeaux, Champigné, Chaintré, Beaufort-En-Vallée, Angrie, Brain-Sur-Allonnes, Chaudefonds-Sur-Layon, Saint-Lambert-Du-Lattay, Trémont, Juigné-Sur-Loire, La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Auverse, Cantenay-Épinard, Le Guédeniau, Cheffes, Rochefort-Sur-Loire, Neuillé, Jarzé, Marcé, Vernoil-le-Fourrier, Varennes-sur-Loire, Saint-Martin-du-Bois, Saint-Georges-des-Sept-Voies, Chazé-sur-Argos, Les Ulmes, Savennières, Montilliers, Grézillé, La Séguinière, Daumeray, La Chapelle-Sur-Oudon, Nueil-Sur-Layon, Martigné-Briand, Clefs-Val D'anjou, Tillières, La Boissière-Sur-Èvre, Souzay-Champigny, Beaucouzé, Châteauneuf-Sur-Sarthe, Turquant, Fontevrault-L'abbaye, Parnay, Écuillé, Passavant-Sur-Layon, Champ-Sur-Layon, Varrains, Faveraye-Mâchelles, Beaupréau, Saint-Aubin-De-Luigné, Saint-Pierre-Montlimart, Saint-Philbert-Du-Peuple, Saint-Crespin-Sur-Moine, Durtal, Saint-André-De-La-Marche, Chemellier, Saint-Clément-des-Levées, Louresse-Rochemenier, La Salle-De-Vihiers, Vihiers, Les Rairies

For the broader travel overview: Pays De La Loire.