The “Accueil Vélo” brand: a sign of quality!

1

La Loire à Vélo is not just an exceptional itinerary, it is also the guarantee of quality services and an excellent welcome. Accommodation, bike hire, places to visit and leisure activities, tourist offices… There are more than 600 tourism professionals engaged in the French national "Accueil Vélo" brand. All you have to do is pedal…

All these entities are situated on and near the La Loire à Vélo itinerary and are ready and willing to offer you a warm welcome and services to suit all your cycle and touring needs. Each professional meets specific quality standards for each category, their aim being to make things easier for you. To this end, the brand sets certain criteria such as being located less than 5 km from the itinerary and providing suitable facilities including secure bike storage, repair kits etc. With practical information, advice, routes and weather forecasts, you will be guaranteed a bike-friendly welcome and, of course, dedicated services such as laundry washing and drying, bike and accessories hire, bike cleaning equipment, suitable breakfasts for a sport-filled morning, packed lunches and more. You can also travel light along La Loire à Vélo. Some professionals provide bike transportation and luggage transfer, and you can transport your bike for free when you board the “Train Loire à Vélo” service to get from one point on the itinerary to another.

Abricyclo and Anjou Bivouac: accommodation for travelling light

Are you looking for accommodation that is “close to nature” and adapted to cycle touring, without having to carry your equipment or pitch up in the evening?

Discover “Tent-bivouacs on stilts”, a type of accommodation available that can be booked for one or more nights at reasonable rates, and which is ideal for weekend breaks or bike touring. There are a dozen or so “Accueil Vélo” sites along the La Loire à Vélo itinerary that provide this type of eco-accommodation. Tent-bivouacs come in different forms and have different names such as Campétoile, Abricyclo or Cabane bivouac, but all are made of half-wood, half-canvas and comprise a ground-floor space with benches and a table and a two-man sleeping area. There are toilets and washing facilities nearby and most places also offer on-site catering.

Tentes surélevées et abricyclos © Camping de Gien Tentes surélevées et abricyclos © Camping de Gien

Group’A Vélo: travel light on a small budget!

Some group accommodation sites, all Accueil Vélo certified, between Angers and the Atlantic coast have joined forces to welcome groups from 10 people at attractive rates. There are catering options available at each point with evening meals, breakfasts and packed lunches, as well as luggage transfer (extra). Perfect for groups of cyclists, school pupils, families or friends!

Garage pour les vélo© Ethic Etapes - Lac de Maine - ANGERS Garage pour les vélo© Ethic Etapes - Lac de Maine - ANGERS

The commitments of the "Accueil vélo" brand

  • Located less than 5km from a cycling itinerary
  • Dedicated facilities (secure area for bikes, repair kits etc.)
  • Adapted services (suitable catering, laundry washing and drying etc.)
  • A warm welcome (useful information and advice etc.)
  • Located less than 5km from a cycling itinerary
  • Dedicated equipment and services (quality bikes, assistance and repair services etc.)
  • Adapted accessories (panniers, trailers, baby seats etc.)
  • A warm welcome (knowledge of the itineraries, tourist information etc.)
  • Located less than 5km from a cycling itinerary
  • Adapted services for cycle tourists (fast repair, maintenance for all types of bikes etc.)
  • Solutions available if your bike is immobilised
  • A warm welcome (knowledge of the itineraries, tourist information etc.)

 

  • Located less than 5km from a cycling itinerary
  • Places to leave bikes that are visible from the tourist office
  • Provision of a drinking water fountain, repair kit etc.
  • A warm welcome (useful advice, weather forecast etc.)
  • Adapted services (booking, list of Accueil Vélo professionals etc.)
  • Located less than 5km from a cycling itinerary
  • Easy access and bike racks near the entrance
  • Provision of a drinking water fountain, information on the itinerary etc.
  • Located less than 5km from a cycling itinerary
  • Easy access for cyclists and provision of bike racks
  • An adapted service (quick dining option, service from 11.30am-2.30pm minimum, drinking water available free of charge etc.)
  • A warm welcome (e-bike and smart phone charging point, knowledge of the itineraries etc.)