Loire of the land

IF you're thinking ahead to 2026, France's Atlantic Loire Valley has such a diversity of experiences that it is well worth a visit.

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It's a region for all seasons, all budgets and all audiences - accessible by direct flight, high-speed train or ferry and a few hours' drive. Here are five things to look forward to next year...

24 Hours in Le Mans

The city of Le Mans resonates with car enthusiasts and petrol-heads as the home of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Le Mans Classic, the latter of which is to become an annual event (formerly biannual) in 2026.

But have you explored the city itself yet? Surrounded by a Gallo-Roman wall, the medieval Plantagenet old heart has preserved a remarkable collection of half-timbered houses nestled in a maze of pretty cobbled streets, and a spectacular Gothic cathedral. What's more - the city’s just an hour from Paris by train.

Cider and wine off the beaten track

Little-known Mayenne is a major cider producer whose speciality is Pommeau du Maine, a mix of sweet and bitter apples with cider brandy, drunk chilled as an apéritif.

There's also a dedicated cider museum close to the border with Normandy.