La Loire à Vélo, a connected itinerary
-
© J.Damase
North to south, east to west... cycle as you please, to or from La Loire à Vélo! La Loire à Vélo is both the start and end point of EuroVelo 6, a cycling itinerary covering 3,600 km between the Atlantic Ocean and the Black Sea. It crosses approximately ten countries and follows the largest rivers in Europe: the Danube, Rhine and, of course, the Loire. La Loire à Vélo also links to other itineraries, including nine long distance cycling routes and at least a dozen networks of dedicated cycle paths.
Long distance cycling routes leading to the itinerary
La Véloscénie – From Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel
An exceptional cycle route linking Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel over 450 km. La Véloscénie crosses the Loire Valley, notably passing the cathedral of Chartres and the Regional Nature Park of Le Perche. It is connected to La Loire à Vélo via the Compostela cycle route.
Saint-Jacques à Vélo
Saint-Jacques à Vélo (Compostela cycle route) via Chartres and Tours was the first dedicated Compostela route, and it crosses the Loire Valley from north to south over more than 350 km until it reaches Tours, where it joins La Loire à Vélo.
L’Indre à Vélo
This itinerary covers more than 200 km along the river Indre, leading from either the Château of Azay-Le-Rideau or the Château of Chenonceau to Jeu-Les-Bois, located just south of Châteauroux via Loches.
Touraine Berry à Vélo
This cycling route, mainly comprising green lanes, follows the valley of the Creuse. Connected to L’Indre à Vélo via the La Brenne cycling circuits, it is an opportunity to enjoy varied scenery and savour the peace and quiet. Its railroad history makes it an easily accessible itinerary.
La Vallée du Loir à Vélo
La Vallée du Loir à Vélo covers 320 km from the source of the Loir near Illiers-Combray to Angers, where it joins La Loire à Vélo. The itinerary is punctuated with picturesque villages, vineyards, orchards and troglodyte houses in a tucked-away paradise just 40 km north of the Loire.
The Normandy Loire Valley Cycle Route
This rolling itinerary follows the river Sarthe and snakes along quiet roads between forests and quaint villages. It connects La Loire à Vélo to La Véloscénie (Paris / Le-Mont-Saint-Michel) from Saumur
La Vélo Francette
This itinerary of more than 600 km connects Normandy (Ouistreham) to the Atlantic Ocean (La Rochelle). The route never strays far from a river and offers the opportunity to savour the charm of pretty towns and villages and the peace and quiet of the countryside. A condensed introduction to easy-going life in France! It follows the same route as La Loire à Vélo between Saumur and Angers.
EV1-La Vélodyssée
ev1-la vélodyssée is the French section of EuroVelo 1, which connects Norway to Portugal. It covers more than 1200 km from Roscoff to Hendaye. This sea-air itinerary runs along the Atlantic coastline, sharing the same route as La Loire à Vélo from Nantes to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins.
Nantes / Roscoff (V45)
The V45 itinerary between Nantes and Roscoff follows the Atlantic coastline from Saint-Nazaire. Only certain parts of the route follow dedicated cycle sections, notably between Saint-Nazaire and Pénestin over 148 km. Follow the Vélocéan signs from Saint-Nazaire. You will discover, among others, Le Croisic, La Baule and Guérande with its salt marshes.
Plus, a dozen or so cycle route networks for getting away
La Loire en Berry
You’ll be charmed by the untouched Loire wildlife in Berry! Just a few pedal strokes from La Loire à Vélo’s “kilometre zero”, take time to amble through the flower park of Apremont-sur-Allier. Take the opportunity for a trip in a pleasure boat through the locks on the Loire canal or cross Sancerre vineyards. In Berry, everything is possible!
In and around Gien
Magnificent scenery and a wealth of heritage are just waiting to be discovered along the cycling circuits around Gien, including the famous canal aqueduct and port of Briare, the farm meadows and houses in Puisaye, the towns on the banks of the Loire and panoramic views of the Sancerre area.
Orléans / the Forest of Orléans
Just one hour from Paris, discover the heritage and countryside of the area around Orléans. In just a few pedal strokes, enjoy thriving natural wildlife that alternates between forests and countryside. Taste Orléans wines or stop for a fragrant rest in the Remarkable Gardens, all you could ever want is here!
Les Châteaux à Vélo
Escape along the Châteaux à Vélo cycling circuits around Blois! A magical experience that includes treasures of French heritage – Chambord and Cheverny – and Sologne countryside where you can revitalise.
La Sologne à Vélo
Enjoy majestic Sologne countryside. These circuits are connected to La Loire à Vélo by the Châteaux à Vélo loops, offering the opportunity to discover unforgettable views of some of the most attractive lakes, châteaux and typical villages. If you’re lucky, you might even see a stag!
La Touraine
Welcome to the Touraine network of circuits, the perfect playground for cycling outings! From vineyards to troglodyte caves, royal fortresses to Renaissance châteaux, Remarkable Gardens to wooded countryside (not to mention excellent dining), Touraine has all you need for a successful stay.
In and around Chartres
Discover the valley of the Eure and Chartres, the capital of light and perfume. The cathedral is a must see, but other delights are also awaiting you. Nature-wise, the valley of the Eure offers superb scenery.
In and around the valley of the Loir
Travel through Vondôme by bike! Visit the house where the poet Ronsard was born and which constituted a real source of inspiration for him, unveil the secret of the Templars in Arville or wander through Vendôme, a city of Art and History. Between the valley of the Loire and Perche, discover untouched wildlife offering a pleasant change of scene.
Le Perche à Vélo
A verdant break along the signposted cycling loops in Perche, with forests, hills and the protected wooded countryside of the Nature Park. Appreciate the manors, parks and gardens, Percheron horses and local Perche produce as you travel along quiet local lanes.
La Brenne à Vélo
Come and experience the unspoilt countryside of the Regional Nature Park of Brenne. Known as “the land of a thousand lakes”, this biodiversity reserve is home to an exceptional range of fauna and flora with no fewer than 2,300 animal species. The local cultural heritage also conceals a few hidden gems…
La Sarthe à Vélo
The signposted itineraries of La Sarthe à vélo cover more than 400 km between Normandy and the Loire Valley, passing not far from the Ile de France region. Between the valley of the Sarthe and the valley of the Loir, discover a wealth of heritage nestling amid untouched, rolling countryside. You can join La Sarthe à Vélo from La Loire à Vélo via Saumur.
L’Anjou à Vélo
This network of cycling routes winds through a diversity of settings with châteaux, heritage sites, troglodyte sites, reputed vineyards (Saumur Champigny, Coteaux du Layon etc.), rivers, nature and more. It includes exceptional wildlife and culture. La Loire à Vélo and La Vélodyssée both cross Anjou.
Vendée Vélo
Over 11,000 km of dedicated paths (the largest network of cycle paths in France) for peacefully exploring different itineraries along the coast, on islands (Yeu and Noirmoutier), in the heart of the Marais Poitevin, through wooded countryside etc. From Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, follow La Vélodyssée south to reach the Vendée coast.
To find out more about these itineraries and cycle networks, visit
www.enrouelibre-centrevaldeloire.com/en
www.velo.enpaysdelaloire.com