Pays de la Loire Hotels & AccommodationPays de la Loire is one of the regions created in the late 20th century to serve as a zone of influence for its capital, Nantes. The name of the region, chosen by the French central government, was not based on history, but purely on geographical references. The majority of the famous chateaux of the Loire Valley are located in the Centre region, and not inside Pays de la Loire, despite the confusing name.