The 16th century poet, Joachim du Bellay, already spoke about the mild climate here (la douceur angevine), and it is still true today. In fact, everything in Maine-et-Loire is about mildness: with both mild landscapes and a mild climate, it is a department with beautiful peaceful countryside and lovely airy towns that are pleasant to live in, like Angers or Saumur. But Maine-et-Loire can also be proud of a marvelous architectural heritage and well reputed vineyards. If you add that the department has good road and rail networks, you can understand why this a top destination. Despite this, property in Maine-et-Loire remains very affordable and you can choose between a beautiful plot of buiding land in the country, an apartment in Cholet, or a character house near Angers.