Pays de la Loire
Coat of Arms
Not available
Coat of Arms
Not available
Region of France
Pays de la Loire is an administrative region of western France centred on the lower Loire valley, encompassing the historic territories of Anjou, Maine and Vendée. Its coat of arms is a sophisticated composition combining the arms of Anjou and the ermine of Maine, united on a per-pale shield that reflects the region's composite medieval heritage.
| Status | Administrative region of France (since 1972) |
|---|---|
| Capital | Nantes |
| Departments | Loire-Atlantique, Maine-et-Loire, Mayenne, Sarthe, Vendée |
| Area | 32,082 km² |
| Population (approx.) | 3.8 million |
| Historic territories | Anjou, Maine, Vendée, Nantais |
Coat of Arms — Per pale: Azure semy-de-lis Or with a bordure Gules charged in the dexter canton with a lion Argent; Ermine with a bordure wavy Azure, in fess point a double heart voided, crowned and crossed Gules.
Per pale: Azure semy-de-lis Or with a bordure Gules charged in the dexter canton with a lion Argent; Ermine with a bordure wavy Azure, in fess point a double heart voided, crowned and crossed Gules.
The region takes its name from the Loire river, the longest in France, whose valley was a centre of royal power and Renaissance château culture. The arms were designed in 1972 to combine the main historic territories merged into the new administrative region. The Anjou arms (fleurs-de-lis and red bordure) had been used by the dukes of Anjou since the 14th century. The ermine field evokes Maine's connection to the heraldic traditions of northwestern France, while the crowned heart directly references the Vendée's Catholic royalist identity.
The regional flag reproduces the coat of arms. The dominant colours are blue, gold, red, white (ermine) and black, reflecting both the Anjou heraldic tradition and the Loire valley's rich cultural heritage.
No formal flag existed before the administrative region was created in 1972. The arms were designed specifically for the new region and have been used on official buildings and communications since then.
The regional council of Pays de la Loire displays the arms prominently. The region is notable for not including the historic Breton capital of Nantes in Bretagne — a politically sensitive decision that remains debated. The coat of arms makes no reference to Brittany, affirming a distinct identity for the Loire area.
The arms combine the heraldry of Anjou (blue with gold fleurs-de-lis and a red bordure bearing a silver lion) and Maine/Vendée (ermine with a wavy blue bordure and a crowned heart), reflecting the two main historic territories of the region.
Charles d'Anjou, brother of Louis IX of France, became Count of Anjou in 1246 and subsequently conquered the Kingdom of Sicily and Naples (1266). He was one of the most powerful rulers of 13th-century Europe and a key figure in Mediterranean politics.
The double heart voided, crowned and crossed refers to the Sacred Heart, the emblem adopted by the royalist Vendée insurgents during the counter-revolutionary uprising of 1793–1796. It remains a potent symbol of the Vendée's distinctive Catholic and royalist identity.
Nantes is the capital of the administrative region of Pays de la Loire. However, historically it was the capital of the Duchy of Brittany, and many residents and political groups advocate for its return to the administrative region of Bretagne — a debate still unresolved in 2026.
The region is known for the Loire Valley châteaux (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the port of Saint-Nazaire, Nantes's dynamic cultural scene, Muscadet and Anjou wines, the Le Mans 24 Hours race, and the bocage landscapes of the Vendée.
Last reviewed by the Emblema Mundi editorial team on June 29, 2026.