Exasperatingly, there isn’t quite a railway along the full length of the route. (12km/7.5 miles – app. Caen (for ferries from Portsmouth) is probably the best connected by TER: there are daily direct trains to Tours, or one change for Nantes or Angers. Almost all major towns and cities along the route have rail stations – but not quite. 600km of level cycling with very little traffic and a steady stream of cathedral cities, historic riverside villages and those châteaux… relaxed riding doesn’t get more scenic … It follows the Loire for the western part of the route, but cuts cross-country to avoid Orléans.British visitors may be arriving at a Channel port. 1 h 45 minutes)After Sandillon, cross the Loire at Orléans and follow the quayside route before heading for the Courpain headland, at the confluence of the Loire and the Loiret. 1 h 30 minutes).After crossing the Loire, head for Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire and its château. They are all easy routes that cyclists of all levels can enjoy. (21km/13 miles – app. There’s honestly not much in it. (22km/14 miles – app. This is no towpath ride, but rather, an intricate chain of levee roads, cycleways, and tiny rural lanes. Booking required. Cycling downhill sounds appealing, but in reality, the gradient is so gentle that you won’t notice the effect in either direction.The wind is likely to be more of a consideration, and it’s more often from the west than from the east. Published by Éditions Système D Ltd. The many service providers awarded with the 'Accueil Vélo' (cycle-friendly) quality label go to great lengths to ensure you have a perfect stay.Tired, not sure you'll make it all the way, happy to accept some assistance?

(28km/17 miles – app. The Loire à Vélo cycle route has no equivalent elsewhere in France: and in Loiret alone, some 155km of cycle routes have been developed along the river or in the vicinity. Europe commits to the Loire basin with the European Regional Development Fund The bike trailer will only accommodate standard bikes, not tandems and the like.Alternatively, it’s just a 20km (12mi) ride to the little town of Pornic, which is at the end of a branch line from the main station at Nantes.Made in the Cotswolds, England. 1 h 45 minutes)Looking to venture away from the riverside? For accommodation, meals, visits, etc. It picks you up at Rue de la Loire in Saint Nazaire, or Place Bougainville in Saint Brevin. Sometimes the unpaved sections have a formal on-road alternative route; otherwise there’s invariably a D road down the valley that you can follow. and offering 40 to 60kms of autonomy, these bikes are available for hire from a half-day basis.Perfect for all cyclists, thanks to their low frame, they are the ideal solution for an effortless cycle tour. 34 m 22 m. Route. 1 h 45 minutes)Splendid panoramic views over the Loire, its alluvial forest and its sand banks. Either side of Villandry are picturesque cycle paths leading to the great river. The line from Gien to Orléans is long gone, but Rémi bus route 3 runs every day on this stretch and carries bikes.From June to September, a special ‘Train Vélo Loire’ operates between Orléans and Saint Nazaire. Pour votre confort et votre sécurité, l’itinéraire est balisé dans les deux sens.

There’s a lot to see and plentiful accommodation, so you don’t need to stick to a rigorous schedule.Yes, absolutely.

Qualifiée de vallée des rois ou de jardin de la France, le Val de Loire est en grande partie inscrit au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO. Ask our 'Accueil Vélo' cycle hirers for advice.If you're travelling along the 'Loire à Vélo' route between Orléans and Angers, Bagafrance can look after transferring your luggage from one accommodation point to the next; they can also transport your cycles or move your car. 1 h 30 minutes)Return to the south bank to revel in some quite remarkable viewpoints over the Loire and its islands, home to many bird species, including terns in particular. Die Loire à Vélo, von Saint-Nazaire bis Nevers, entlang des Loire Tals, ist der bekannteste und prestigeträchtigste Radwanderweg in Frankreich. From here, you'll soon be in Gien, where you can visit the Faïencerie (earthenware factory). 0 800 05 45 00 (48 hours before travelling) - A10 motorway: Orléans Centre or Meung-sur-Loire exitsParis-Austerlitz ⇨ Orléans: 1h - Paris/Bercy ⇨ Gien: 1 h 30 minutesBook your bike on the train on the voyages-sncf.com website by ticking the 'je voyage avec mon vélo' (I'm travelling with my bike) box. Alle Radwege und Radrouten Frankreichs! The traffic is light and the paths are wide. Don’t just divide the distance by the number of days, but also think whether you want to spend time exploring châteaux, cities, and the lovely villages on the way.

cost largely depends on your personal choice.

Discover its idiosyncrasies, its fauna and flora and, above all, revel in the inimitable 'Loire light'. A great idea for getting from one point to the next on the cycle route. A fit cyclist could do the full 600km route in a week. Check out our stage-by-stage guide to see which section takes your fancy!You’ll see more types of bike on the Loire à Vélo than you believed existed. They run through quiet roads with low traffic across Orléans Forest, Sologne, Beauce, Berry and Puisaye.