Loire-Atlantique places to visit and attractions

Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Loire-Atlantique department of Pays de la Loire. See also our Loire-Atlantique travel guide

Batz-sur-Mer

The resort at Batz-sur-Mer is much quiter and smaller than many nearby, ideal if you prefer to avoid excessive crowds!

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Briere Regional Natural Parc

Away from the beaches, Briere Regional Natural Parc is the second largest marsh area in France. Start exploring at Kerhinet.

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Clisson

Clisson has a medieval castle, and an interesting architectural style having ben largely re-built in Italian style about 250 years ago

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Guerande

Guerande is one of the most interesting towns in Pays-de-la-Loire, with its medieval fortifications intact and an attractive historic centre

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Jade Coast

Pornic, a traditional port town with an attrcative harbour, is well placed to explore the Jade Coast

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La Baule

La Baule-Escoblac is a very pleasant and popular resort with a long sandy beach - a toch of the French riviera in the north-west!

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La Turballe

Less developed than some resorts here, the centre of activity in La Turballe is the long sandy beach

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Le Croisic

One of the nicest fishing harbour towns in the region, Le Croisic is a lovely place to stroll around

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Le Pouliguen

If you visit the beach resort of Le Pouligueun be sure to follow the path that leads to the coastal caves

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Les Moutiers-en-Retz

The small town of Les Moutiers-en-Retz is best known for the nearby beach which attracts many summertime campers

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Nantes

One of the largest towns in France, Nantes has many monuments, museums and places of interest to discover including the famous 'elephant' on the island.

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Piriac-sur-Mer

The fishing harbour and traditional granite houses in Piriac-sur-Mer create an interesting diversion from the long sandy beaches nearby

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Pornic

Pornic is one of the liveliest and most vibrant harbour towns along the Jade Coast

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Pornichet

The emphasis in Pornichet, immediately south of La Baule, is most certainly based around the long and sandy beach

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Saint-Brevin-les-Pins

The beach at Saint-Brevin-les-Pins is the main attraction and we also enjoyed exploring the dunes and forest

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For more information see the Loire-Atlantique guide

Market towns & days in Loire-Atlantique

all markets in morning unless otherwise stated

Ancenis: Thursday
Batz-sur-Mer: Monday
Batz-sur-Mer: Friday (high season only)
Blain: Tuesday & Saturday
Bouaye: Thursday
Carquefou: Thursday
Clisson: Friday
Coueron: Thursday
Donges: Thursday
Guerande: Wednesday & Saturday
Herbignac: Wednesday
Indre: Sunday
La Baule: every day except Monday
La Bernerie-en-Retz: Friday & Tuesday (high season only)
La Montagne: Wednesday
Le Croisic: Thursday & Saturday
Le Pellerin: Saturday
Le Pouliguen: Friday & Tuesday & Sunday (high season only)
Machecoul: Wednesday
Nantes: Sunday
Nort-sur-Erdre: Friday
Piriac-sur-Mer: Monday (high season only)
Piriac-sur-Mer: Wednesday & Saturday (high season only)
Pontchateau: Monday all day
Pornic: Wednesday & Thursday & Sunday & Saturday
Pornichet: Wednesday & Saturday
Prefailles: Wednesday & Saturday (high season only)
Reze: Tuesday & Friday
Saint-Brevin-les-Pins: Wednesday