You’ve no doubt heard of France’s Loire Valley, famed for its vineyards and stunning chateaus. But how familiar are you with the region that spans much of it, Pays de la Loire, and all that it has to offer? For one thing, the regional capital of Nantes was the birthplace of writer Jules Vernes. His legacy inspires the Nantes of today as you can visit the Galerie des Machines and take a ride on the ‘Grand Éléphant’. In 2018 the 40ft mechanical elephant had its motor replaced to become a hybrid, a world first for mechanical elephants. Personally, I’m already sold on the idea of robot elephants and a trip…