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The staff at most tourist offices are able to speak competent English. You will find them very helpful with all tourism questions as well as questions on public transport and more. If you're in need of some help, they're always worth asking. Tourist Offices are also able to provide general information on their area, much of it as appropriate to the resident as to the visitor. If you want to know about fairs, markets, concerts and other events in your area the Tourist Office is bound to have information, brochures and flyers.
Where To StayThe Pays-de-la-Loire region offers a wide variety of accommodation, with options ranging from camping to Bed & Breakfast accommodation to stays in luxury châteaux and private gîtes.
Airports in and Around the Pays-de-la-Loire
BeachesWebsite WesternLoire.com has a guide to some of the Loire Atlantique's 68km of sandy beaches and dunes, with information about how to get there and what there is to do. The windswept coastline is perfect for windsurfers and kite surfers as well as nature lovers who can find wild birds and foliage in the sandy dunes. ChâteauxBoth the Pays-de-la-Loire and the Val-de-Loire are famous for their renaissance chateaux that line the river Loire and its tributaries. Many of the châteaux have been restored to their former regal glory and the gardens, many museums in themselves, have lent the area the name "The Garden of France".
Food and DrinkEach region of France has its own speciality and the Pays-de-la-Loire is no different. With the famous towns of Sancerre, Saumur and Chinon this region produces predominantly white wines but the fertile soil of the Garden of France also makes some good red and rosé wines. The fresh fish and shellfish influence the costal cuisine, typical specialities are oyster and mussel dishes (particularly moules marinèrs). Further inland fish is still popular with freshwater varieties such as salmon and trout being most common. Rillettes is another local dish: a paté of pork, duck or goose cooked in lard. Crottin de Chavignol is a well-known goats' cheese produced in the region. Le MansEach third weekend in June this historic town - home to the greatest Gallo-Roman walls in France and Gothic Cathedral St-Julien - turns into one of the world's greatest sports car endurance race. The Le Mans 24 Hours is held at the Sarthe track and the winner is the car which has covered the greatest distance in 24 hours. Each team is allowed three drivers. Regional Tourist OfficesRegional tourism authorities have comprehensive websites in English providing much useful information. The main Tourist offices are:
Selected tourism websites
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