Part of the Pays de la Loire region, the town of Cholet in western France is situated on the right bank of the Moine River and lies about 50 kilometers east of Nantes. In 2008, the town was the departure point for Stage 5 of the Tour de France, but historically it owes its prosperity to the settlement of numerous weavers.

Today, a gorgeous public garden has been planted on the site of the old castle, while many of the public buildings, including the Church of the Sacred Heart, are modern. This is a result of the destruction that occurred in the Wars of the Vendee between 1793-96. History buffs don’t despair, however, as ancient megalith monuments can be found all over the area. The Musee du Textile pays homage to Cholet’s lucrative past involvement with the textile industry, while impressive granite quarries on the edge of town support a major modern-day industry here.