Experienced cycle-tourers
1
-
Saint-Jacques à vélo : passage à Vouvray © D. Darrault - CRT Centre-Val de Loire
If you enjoy discovering new destinations every day and cycling in freedom with no restrictions or schedule and admiring stunning scenery… welcome to La Loire à Vélo! This unique itinerary along the royal river also offers a range of cycle-friendly services. Organised freedom!
La Loire à Vélo, a connected itinerary
La Loire à Vélo is a safe and signposted itinerary covering 900 km and is one of the most beautiful cycle routes in Europe. It is also the start (or end!) of EuroVelo 6, an incredible journey covering 3,600 km from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea. This east-west route traverses ten or so countries and follows some of Europe’s greatest rivers, with the Danube, the Rhine and, of course, the Loire.
Port de plaisance de Briare © J. Damase - CRT Centre-Val de Loire La Loire à Vélo connects to multiple other itineraries. From Nantes to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins it follows the same route as La Vélodyssée and EuroVelo1, which travels down the Atlantic coast from Brittany to the Basque Country. To the south, you can join up with the Vendée Vélo network, or La Baule via the Vélocéan to the north. At Angers and Saumur can join La Vélo Francette which covers more than 600 km from Normandy to La Rochelle. In Tours you can join Saint-Jacques à Vélo, a legendary route that leads all the way to Spain. Follow the La Vallée du Loir à Vélo itinerary from the source of the river near Illiers-Combray up to La Loire à Vélo via Saint-Jacques à Vélo and Sarthe à Vélo.
In Mayenne, Sarthe and Perche Regional Natural Park you can join La Véloscénie which goes from Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel via Chartres cathedral. From the Château of Chenonceau and the Château of Azay-le-Rideau you can join L’Indre à Vélo, a route covering 200 km along the river Indre that leads just south of Châteauroux. Along the way you can also fork off onto the Touraine Berry à Vélo cycle route via Brenne Regional Natural Park. There are plenty of routes leading to La Loire à Vélo, and vice-versa!
“Bespoke” services for cycle touring
La Loire à Vélo is not only about freedom, but also practicality. Along the itinerary there are numerous services for organising your trip and, above all, travelling light! From luggage transport to accommodation and bike hire, there’s no need to weigh yourself down.
La Loire à Vélo has a network of “Accueil Vélo” accommodation offering specific services such as locked storage, bike-washing equipment and nutritious (and early!) breakfasts. You can also opt for Abricyclo or Anjou Bivouac accommodation, which is a basic and cycle-friendly option available in certain campsites that allows you to avoid pitching your tent at the end of a stage, or Group’AVélo, a network of accommodation units specifically for groups of family or friends.
Cyclistes sur leur vélo : plan rapproché sur les roues © J. Damase - CRT Centre-Val de Loire There are also bike hire and repair companies for hiring equipment and fixing problems wherever you are. Everything is possible on La Loire à Vélo: bike transfer, one-way bike hire, travelling with your bike on the Train Vélo Loire…
« On La Loire à Vélo, you will be able to get the most out of your cycle tour thanks to a network of professionals working to make life easier for you. »
