Isère

Isère is a department in southeastern France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. 

It is named after the Isère River and has approximately 1.27 million inhabitants (most recent figures around 2019-2025). 

Capital/prefecture: Grenoble (known as the "capital of the Alps"). 

Features: Highly varied landscape—from high Alpine mountains (such as parts of Écrins, Belledonne, Chartreuse, and Vercors) to valleys and flatter terrain towards the Rhône. 

Known for: Winter sports (the third largest ski area in France, including Les Deux Alpes and Alpe d'Huez). 

Hiking, cycling, and nature in the summer. 

Technology and research (Grenoble is a major innovation region). 

Historic sites such as Vienne (Roman remains). 

In short: a spectacular mountainous department with a mix of nature, sports, science, and culture, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts all year round.

https://dorpenstedennederland.blogspot.com/

https://fieggentrio.blogspot.com/

Jura

Jura is a department in eastern France, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. 

It lies near the Swiss border and takes its name from the Jura Mountains. 

Capital (prefecture): Lons-le-Saunier. 

Subprefectures: Dole (largest city, birthplace of Louis Pasteur) and Saint-Claude. 

Landscape: Mountainous, with many lakes, waterfalls, green valleys, and forests – ideal for hiking, cycling, and nature tourism. 

Known for: wine (Jura wines such as vin jaune), Comté cheese, watchmaking (in the region), Saint-Claude pipes, and historic towns. 

The department is rural, peaceful, and has a rich history (formerly part of Franche-Comté). 

It combines beautiful nature with culinary specialties and outdoor activities.

https://dorpenstedennederland.blogspot.com/

https://fieggentrio.blogspot.com/

Landes

Les Landes is a department in southwestern France (Nouvelle-Aquitaine region), known for: Europe's largest artificial pine forest (Forêt des Landes)—more than 60% of the area consists of maritime pines. More than 100 km of sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean (Côte d’Argent/Silver Coast), popular surfing spots such as Hossegor, Seignosse, Capbreton, and Mimizan. 

Numerous lakes and dunes, including the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park. 

Formerly marshy and unhealthy; drained in the 19th century and reforested with pine trees for wood and resin. 

Capital: Mont-de-Marsan. 

Known for its gastronomy (foie gras, duck, and Armagnac in the area) and peaceful seaside resorts. 

In short: a mix of endless beaches, gigantic pine forests, and tranquil nature—a favorite with the French for summer holidays, but less well-known among foreigners.

https://dorpenstedennederland.blogspot.com/

https://fieggentrio.blogspot.com/

Loir et Cher

Loir-et-Cher is a French department in the Centre-Val de Loire region, in the heart of the Loire Valley.

Capital/prefecture: Blois. 

Name: Named after two rivers that flow through it: the Loir (north) and the Cher (south). 

Known for its magnificent Loire châteaux, such as Chambord (the most famous and largest Renaissance château). 

Cheverny. 

Blois itself (royal château). 

Also Chaumont-sur-Loire and others. 

Other highlights: ZooParc de Beauval (one of the finest zoos in Europe), Sologne forests, vineyards, beautiful gardens, and peaceful rural communities.

It is a sparsely populated, rural department with abundant nature, history, and tourism (many châteaux and Renaissance heritage). 

In short: a department synonymous with fairytale châteaux, the Loire Valley, and a blend of nature and culture. 

Ideal for those who love history, architecture, and tranquility!

https://dorpenstedennederland.blogspot.com/

https://fieggentrio.blogspot.com/

Loire

The Loire department is a French department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in the east of the country. 

Capital (préfecture): Saint-Étienne (known for its industrial past, design, and ASSE football club). 

Named after the Loire River, which crosses the department from south to north (upper reaches of the river). 

Main cities: Saint-Étienne, Roanne, Montbrison, Firminy, and Feurs. 

Landscape: Hilly and mountainous in the west (Massif Central, Pilat, and Forez mountains), valleys and plateaus in the east. 

Economy: Historically strong industrial sector (weapons, textiles, mining around Saint-Étienne), now more focused on design, technology, metallurgy, and tourism. 

Known for: lush nature, hiking and cycling trails, historical heritage (Forez region, castles, Romanesque churches), gastronomy (fourme de Montbrison cheese, charcuterie), and the Pilat Regional Nature Park.

https://dorpenstedennederland.blogspot.com/

https://fieggentrio.blogspot.com/

Haute Loire

Haute-Loire (department 43) is a department in the south of the Massif Central, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (France).

It is landlocked (no sea) and owes its name to the upper reaches of the Loire River, which originate there.

Capital/prefecture: Le Puy-en-Velay (known for its cathedral, pilgrimage route to Santiago, the Puy's vertigo-inducing peaks, and the famous cliffs with chapels). 

Landscape: Mountainous and volcanic (Massif Central), with plateaus (Mézenc-Gerbier), deep gorges (including the Allier and Loire), green valleys, and abundant nature. 

Highest point: Mont Mézenc (≈ 1,753 m). 

Key features: Volcanic heritage and rugged nature Medieval villages and castles. 

Pilgrimage tradition (Le Puy, starting point of the Via Podiensis). 

Local specialties: Le Puy green lentils (AOP), cheese (including Fourme d’Ambert-like), lacemaking (dentelle du Puy). 

Plenty of sunshine (≈ 200 days/year) and clean air. 

Tourism: hiking, cycling, canyoning, historic towns (Le Puy, Brioude, Saugues), “Plus Beaux Villages de France” (including Lavaudieu, Arlempdes). 

In short: a peaceful, authentic, green, and mountainous department with volcanic landscapes, religious heritage, and delicious local products – ideal for nature lovers and those seeking peace and quiet.

https://dorpenstedennederland.blogspot.com/

https://fieggentrio.blogspot.com/

Loire Atlantique

Loire-Atlantique is a French department in the Pays de la Loire region, located on the west coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Loire River. 

Capital/préfecture: Nantes (largest city, approximately 320,000 inhabitants, known for the Machines de l’Île, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and cultural dynamism). 

Other important cities: Saint-Nazaire (shipbuilding, port, Airbus), La Baule (long seafront promenade), Pornic, Guérande (medieval walled city and salt marshes), Clisson, Ancenis, and Châteaubriant. 

Features: Long Atlantic coast (beaches, Côte de Jade, and Guérande Peninsula). 

Loire estuary and Brière Marsh (natural park). 

Nantes vineyards → Muscadet wine. 

Economically strong (port, industry, tourism, innovation around Nantes). 

Historically: until 1957 it was called Loire-Inférieure, part of former Brittany (hence the frequent debate about Breton identity). 

Popular with tourists for its city + sea + countryside combination: Nantes culture, La Baule beach holidays, Guérande & Brière nature. 

In short: dynamic, maritime, green, and urban at the same time – one of the fastest-growing departments in France.

https://dorpenstedennederland.blogspot.com/

https://fieggentrio.blogspot.com/