During or after the creation of your itinerary, you have the opportunity to add favourites to your route, such as accommodation, a restaurant, a tourist site or an activity. You can display all or some of the tourist offers with the ‘Tourist offers’ filter. To select an offer, go to the map, click on it and then select ‘Add’.
Yes, you can do that in several ways via the ‘My logbook’ page.
Either by selecting the stage you want to modify and clicking on ‘View/modify’
Or by using the ‘pen’ button in your itinerary. This will enable you to view you whole itinerary and click on the section that you wish to modify.
Yes, you can do that in several ways via the ‘My logbook’ page.
Either by selecting the stage you want to modify and clicking on ‘View/modify’
Or by using the ‘pen’ button in your itinerary. This will enable you to view you whole itinerary and click on the section that you wish to modify.
Yes! You can select the train from the toolbox. You will be asked to indicate your start and end points on the SNCF train stations. The latter will appear on the map after you have activated the train stations display option by clicking on the base maps button, on the top left.
Yes. You’ll find a ‘Save’ button in the toolbox. You can view your stage in your logbook, accessible through the ‘My logbook’ menu on the top or your map.
Creating your route is simple.
The button ‘Create my itinerary’ allows you to add a new itinerary to your logbook. Give the itinerary a name (e.g. from Saumur to Orléans).
You can access the map and begin constructing your route with your points of departure and arrival, add tourist services etc. by clicking ‘add a stage’. You will be redirected to a map.
There are 2 ways you can add a point of departure and a point of arrival:
By positioning your mouse on the map and clicking on the desired location
By entering the name of a location in the toolbox and pressing enter to find it
You have successfully created a stage of your trip! If you wish to do so, you can also view your tourist offers by clicking on the ‘Display offers’ button from the corresponding tab (down right).
Yes. Your itineraries are personalised. They are saved via your email address in your personal space so that you can access and use them while you are travelling.
You can download the GPS tracks of La Loire à Vélo in GPX format and then easily transfer them to your cycling GPS unit. There are two ways in which you can do that: either by downloading one of the itineraries from the route suggestions or by creating your own itinerary and importing the tracks directly from your logbook
Yes! Specialised publishers and pioneers in cycling routes in France such as Le Routard à Vélo, Chamina and Ouest France have written about La Loire à Vélo. You will find them in the Topo-guides column. These topo-guides are regularly updated and contain detailed maps of La Loire à Vélo, section by section, practical and tourist information, useful addresses, specialised services and equipment, etc. in order to make your journey easier.
The mapping information on the loireavelo.fr website comes directly from the geographic information system (G.I.S) of the Regional Council of Centre-Val de Loire and Pays de La Loire, which allows for the trail to be defined precisely and updated on a regular basis. There is no printed map which outlines the whole itinerary. In order to help guide you throughout your trip you can either refer to topo-guides, download GPS tracks, or access the mobile version of the website on your smartphone.
The itinerary of La Loire à Vélo is designed to be easy and secure. All 900 km are fully converted and signposted. You can cycle by following the signs from east to west or the other way around. Take a look at the signs you might see during your trip
La Loire à Vélo is just as easy to cover in both directions. The wind is the only thing that can pose somewhat of a challenge: the dominant west winds often push cycling tourists inland, away from the ocean. But every self-respecting local will tell you that the Loire has two faces, depending on whether you are travelling towards its source or its mouth.
A spectacular scenery is guaranteed throughout the year. Nevertheless, the period from April to October offers better weather conditions for cycling than the winter period. Moreover, the Loire is a wild river, which sometimes overflows its banks, especially in winter and early spring: get information about the next leg of your trip – trafficability, current landscaping projects and roadworks
Before leaving, contact the Tourist Office of your city of departure. It may be able to tell you where you can park your vehicle. There are long-term car parks situated along the itinerary and close to train stations. This makes it easier for you to plan your return journey, if you decide you want to travel back with public transport . You can also ask your first host. Perhaps they will also be able to give you advice. In certain accommodation you can park your vehicle and leave it there while you are following the itinerary.
All of the accommodation on the website is part of the national initiative ‘Accueil Vélo’, which guarantees a warm welcome and specific services that cater for bike tourists. They are located less than 5 km away from the itinerary. They are equipped with a secure bike storage room, a bike repair kit, cleaning materials, etc.
La Loire à Vélo is perfectly suitable for families, thanks to its easy, signposted and secure trail and the many rest areas situated along the whole route. The path alternates between ‘car-free’ roads (green lanes and cycling paths) and ‘shared-lane’ roads (bike lanes, roads with light traffic and non-transit roads). You can view the type of roads which the route follows on the map. (lien vers la cartographie). Furthermore, bike hire companies also offer equipment which is suitable for children (bike trailers, etc.). And finally, the itinerary includes many exciting things to see and do for both young and old. (Lien vers page « Sites et loisirs pour jeunes et autour de l’eau »)
If you are in a normal physical condition, start with 30 to 40 km per day. During the first days keep your speed at 10 km/h. This will leave you the time to discover the rich landscapes and cultural heritage or take advantage of the activities included in the itinerary. Depending on your level of fitness you can then progressively increase the travel distance.
Only the strips on green lanes which are reserved for non-motorised vehicles are accessible for people with reduced mobility. You can find the ‘Tourisme et Handicap’ establishments in the accommodation section
La Loire à Vélo is a cycle route, therefore it follows all types of secure paths i.e. small roads with light traffic, cycle paths, green lanes. The road surface isn’t only asphalt and is therefore not always suitable for racing bikes with narrow tyres. For trips that last several days, it is preferable to embark with a hybrid bicycle. To find out more, visit the pages “Tipps for organising your trip” and “Overview of La Loire à Vélo”.
La Loire à Vélo lives up to its name. It is meant for bike travel, preferably with a hybrid bike. The itinerary is not suitable for other non-motorised vehicles (rollerblades, scooters, quadricycles, etc.).
You can charge your electric bike along La Loire à Vélo at one of the charging stations on the itinerary or with Accueil Vélo service providers.
Places that provide charging stations:
– Châteauneuf-sur-Loire, place du Port (fast charging station) (sat nav coordinates: longitude 2.22252852 – latitude 47.8599924)
– The National Domain of Chambord (fast charging station)
– Accueil Vélo et Rando in Tours (fast charging station)
– The Tourist Office in Villandry
– cycle rest areas in Montsoreau (sat nav coordinates: longitude 0.05495 – latitude 47.21753)
– cycle rest areas in Souzay-Champigny (sat nav coordinates: longitude -0.07216 – latitude 47.25768)
– cycle rest areas in Les Rosiers sur Loire (sat nav coordinates: longitude -0.21351 – latitude 47.34325)
– cycle rest areas in Gennes Val de Loire (sat nav coordinates: longitude -0.23109 – latitude 47.34293)
– cycle rest areas in Montjean-sur-Loire (sat nav coordinates: longitude -0.8644290 – latitude 47.3894622)
– cycle rest areas in Saint-Florent-le-Vieil (sat nav coordinates: longitude -1.0130979 – latitude 47.3620293)
– cycle rest areas in Champtoceaux (sat nav coordinates: longitude -1.2750323 – latitude 47.3391298)
– cycle rest areas in Frossay (sat nav coordinates: longitude -1.9157145 – latitude 47.2587559)
– Charging station at Frossay (sat nav coordinates: longitude -1.9356 – latitude 47.2445)
– cycle rest areas in Paimboeuf (sat nav coordinates: longitude -2.0284347534179688 – latitude 47.2894172668457)
– Charging station at Paimboeuf (sat nav coordinates: longitude -2.0283382 – latitude 47.2894181)
– cycle rest areas in Corsept (sat nav coordinates: longitude -2.0627645 – latitude 47.2797502)
– Charging station at Corsept (sat nav coordinates: longitude -2.0572671 – latitude 47.2793477)
– cycle rest areas in Saint-Brevin (sat nav coordinates: longitude -2.1672923 – latitude 47.2680433)
– Charging station at Saint-Brevin
Pôle de la Bresse – GPS : longitude -2.1624132 – latitude 47.2479549
Boulevard de l’Océan – GPS : longitude -2.175140380859375 – latitude 47.22843933105469
Parking Aquajade – GPS : longitude -2.1547505 – latitude 47.2361221
Aire d’accueil de Mindin – GPS : longitude -2.1677298 – latitude 47.2473358
You can also charge electric bike batteries with Accueil Vélo professionals and at Accueil Vélo tourist sites.
The transport requirements vary depending on the mode of transport. You might have to fold or dismantle your bike or pay a fee so that you can take it with you. Find practical information on accessing the itinerary
The over 3 km long bridge allows you to cross the estuary of the Loire between Saint-Brevin and Saint-Nazaire. The vehicles there travel on a three-lane motorway and the traffic can be quite heavy at certain hours. Although it is possible, we urge you not to cross the bridge with your bike, because it is not suitable for bikes and is dangerous because of the wind and the road traffic. You can cross the bridge safely with a shuttle bus or taxi. Find out more at How to cross the bridge of Saint Nazaire ?
There are several ways for transporting your bike on La Loire à Vélo A network of specialised logistics professionals offer a transportation service for bikes or passengers. If you are travelling in a group, we strongly advise you to contact these professionals to take care of your bikes. Under certain conditions, you can also take your bike on TER trains and regional buses. In the summertime, consider Train Vélo Loire: a bike reception service in specially equipped cars on the Interloire Orléans / Saint-Nazaire route
If you want to travel light, a luggage transportation service is offered by specialised service providers. These professionals will come to your accommodation in the morning to pick up your luggage and will carry it to your next accommodation during the day.
The tourism and leisure sites listed as ‘Accueil Vélo’ have bike parking stations near their entrance. Some of them are also equipped with luggage storage rooms. This service is also offered by some bike hire companies and accommodations. Finally, the ‘Accueil Vélo’ tourist offices can also direct you to the nearest luggage storage site.
The majority of bike hire companies listed as ‘Accueil Vélo’ offer this service. Thus, you can rent a bike in one city and then return it in another rental outlet. You can even have it delivered to your hotel or a train station. Find all the bike hire companies and their rental outlets to make the planning of your trip easier
The loireavelo.fr website has many features. You can:
