Where to stay in Pays de la Loire, from guest houses to Vendée beaches

Where to stay in Pays de la Loire by area

The four places on this page are split between the Sarthe countryside, the Vendée coast and a quiet stop near the motorway. I have grouped them by area so you can see straight away which one fits your stay. In this region the choice depends more on the atmosphere than on the city.

Blèves and Chahaignes, quiet countryside

This is the corner of small villages and gardens. The two places are alike in their calm, but not quite in spirit: one is very much about the dinner table, the other about relaxing by the pool.

• Bed & Breakfast Le Moulin en Route, in Blèves. A charming guest house with a garden, a terrace, a generous breakfast and dinner at the hostess's table. It suits people who prefer a friendly place to the anonymity of a hotel.
• La Tale, in Chahaignes. Well-kept rooms, a garden, a terrace and a seasonal outdoor pool, in the middle of the countryside. I see it working well for couples or friends who want calm and a proper breakfast.

Le Perrier, on the Vendée coast

Here you stay for the coast. If your plans revolve around the beach and the children, this is the area to look at first.

• Gîtes Montmartre, in Le Perrier. Self-contained lodgings near the Vendée beaches, with a heated pool, children's games and very welcoming hosts. A good base for families or friends, provided you accept simple and sometimes ageing accommodation.

Saint-Jean-d'Hermine, a quiet stopover

This area suits those who are stopping over as much as those who want to settle in. The countryside is right there, and the motorway is not far.

• La Metairie du Pont, in Saint-Jean-d'Hermine. A guest house in quiet countryside, with large rooms, a garden, a terrace and a generous breakfast. I recommend it to couples and travellers on a break who want rest rather than activity.

What kinds of places to stay in Pays de la Loire

Guest houses dominate this selection, with one set of independent gîtes for stays with several people. This is not the region of big chain hotels on this page; it is more the region of hosts who welcome you into their home.

Guest houses have one advantage and one drawback. The advantage is the conversation, the tips on the surroundings and a breakfast planned by someone who is waiting for you. The drawback is that arrival times and dinner are arranged with the host, so it is best to let them know. Gîtes give you more independence, at the price of somewhat simpler comfort. The two options complement each other, but they are not aimed at the same traveller.

Which place to choose for your trip

For a weekend for two, look at the guest houses. For a family with children, the gîtes near the coast. And if you are only passing through, the countryside near the motorway does the job very well.

What Google reviews say about these places

Ratings are very good for the guest houses and more mixed for the gîtes. You still need to read them with a critical eye, because the number of reviews changes everything.

Le Moulin en Route and La Metairie du Pont each have a very high rating, backed by about fifty reviews for one and a little fewer for the other. La Tale has the maximum score, but with few reviews, so I take it as a very good sign rather than a certainty. Gîtes Montmartre are lower, with a lot of reviews, and that is exactly what makes them honest. What people write about is a warm welcome and simple, sometimes tired accommodation. It is up to you to decide whether the essentials are the beach and the pool or comfort.

When to go and how to get around Pays de la Loire

Summer is the easiest season, especially for the Vendée coast and the pools, some of which are seasonal. Spring and early autumn suit the countryside very well, when you mainly want to walk and eat at a leisurely pace.

To get around, plan on a car. The villages where these places are located are small, and the road links the countryside, the coast and the region's main cities. Trains serve the big cities well but not the hamlets. If you are coming from afar, the closeness of La Metairie du Pont to the motorway is a real advantage for breaking up the journey. Just book early in summer, when the coast fills up.