+33(0)2 54 78 62 52Loire à Vélo: bike tour from Nevers to Tours
- The beautiful wild landscapes of the Loire River
- The Sancerre and Vouvray white wines
- The historical towns of Nevers, Orléans, Blois and Tours
- The Loire à Velo cycling paths
Reference : L32
Difficulty : Moderate
Linear trip
From March to November
Departure: daily
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
> Download tour program
Your cycling tour in the Loire Valley:
Ride the Loire à Vélo cycling paths, from Nevers to Tours. A 10-day enjoyable living experience into communion with the Loire river: from Sancerre vineyards to the old Briare canal-bridge, on the footsteps of Joan of Arc or Leonardo Da Vinci, to the most beautiful Loire chateaux such as Chambord, Sully sur Loire and Blois.
Day 1 : Arrival in Nevers
Visit the charming town of Nevers : its pottery workshops (where its typical “Nevers Blue” was created in the 16th century) and the Ducal Palace, considered to be one of the first of the Loire châteaux, which was the home of the counts and then the dukes of Nevers.
Day 2 : Nevers – La Charité sur Loire | 45 km
To start this first Loire à Vélo trail, reach Cuffy which is the Official starting point of the “Loire à Vélo” cycling path. Continue to the monastic city of la Charité-sur-Loire where you ride on the oldest Loire river bridge (16th century) to reach the beautiful Romanesque Notre Dame church.
Day 3 : La Charité sur Loire – Sancerre | 31 km or 38 km
Ride through the “Loire Valley National Nature Reserve” and admire the vineyards and the bell tower of Pouilly sur Loire church. Continue between fields and woods towards the famous Sancerre vineyards. And don’t hesitate to stop for a visit to a local wine producer to sample a glass of Sancerre Blanc with typical Chavignol goat cheese! From Sancerre, overlooked by its 15th century “Tour des Fiefs” dungeon, a beautiful view over the valley is waiting for you.
Day 4 : Sancerre – Briare | 49 km
Leave Sancerre riding along the tow-path of the Canal Latéral towards Bannay and then Cosne sur Loire, a flowered city offering beautiful landscapes over the Loire river. Continue to follow the Loire à Vélo cycling paths to Belleville sur Loire, Beaulieu sur Loire and Briare. Bordered by 72 lampposts and magnificent pillars, its “canal bridge” is one of the must-see monuments : a unique structure of its kind… and for a good reason: until 2003, it was the longest canal bridge in Europe!
Day 5 : Briare – Sully sur Loire | 41 km
Ride over the Loire river using the “canal bridge” then continue towards Saint Brisson sur Loire and its mediaeval château specialized in catapults and cannons. Then reach the nice city of Gien and enjoy its exceptional panoramic view. Then, cycle to Sully sur Loire and its remarkable mediaeval château, surrounded by moats overlooking the Loire river.
Day 6 : Sully sur Loire – Orléans | 50 km
Here again, enjoy panoramic views until you reach Saint Benoit sur Loire and its 11th-13th centuries abbey church, one of France’s most remarkable Romanesque churches. Ride to Châteauneuf sur Loire, one of the major ports of the Loire during the 18th century before ending your tour in Orléans, the “City of Art and History” liberated in 1429 by Joan of Arc from the English siege.
Day 7 : Orléans – Beaugency | 26 km
After the visiting Orléans, its historical quarters and its sumptuous Sainte-Croix cathedral, leave the town le via the « Loire à Vélo » cycling tracks and follow the wild Loire river banks up to the nice chateau de Meung-sur-Loire, then to the flower-filled city of Beaugency overlooked by its 11th century dungeon.
Day 8 : Beaugency – Blois | 46 km
Leaving Beaugency in the direction of Blois which presents a rich historical heritage with the château, a perfect illustration of how French architecture evolved between the Middle Ages and the 17th century. You will also discover the Sologne area and of course Chambord, a masterpiece of the French Renaissance period.
Day 9 : Blois – Amboise | 39 km
Follow the ‘pays des châteaux’ cycling tracks through nice tiny villages to the château of Chaumont-sur-Loire, which majestically dominates the Loire river and the little town, before reaching the city of Amboise and its royal château. The castle’s chapel shelters Leonardo Da Vinci’s tomb, and a few streets further on, you can see the last residence of this genius : The Clos Lucé Manor house.
Day 10 : Amboise – Tours | 24 km or 32 km
Crossing the vineyards of Vouvray or Montlouis discover the numerous cellars producing the region’s famous sweet white and sparkling wines. Then you will reach the city of Tours to discover the old neighbourhood with its typical half-timbered houses.
Day 11 : Departure during the day
The little extra with Biking France:
Private return transfer from Tours to Nevers – optional.
Select your category
- from March 1st to April 10th
from November 1st to 30th - Departure: daily
450 € / pers.*
645 € / pers.*
- from April 11th to June 30th
from September 1st to October 31st - Departure: daily
450 € / pers.*
645 € / pers.*
- from July 1st to August 31st
- Departure: daily
450 € / pers.*
645 € / pers.*
Category's details
• 10 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages
•
Equipped cycle rental for 9 days with helmet
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps, detailed route directions in French or English and tourist brochures
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (10 nights included)
•
Transfer from Tours to Nevers and personal bike repatriation
• 10 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
1 dinner (drinks not included)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages
•
Equipped cycle rental for 9 days with helmet
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps, detailed route directions in French or English and tourist brochures
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• 9 dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (10 nights included)
•
Transfer from Tours to Nevers and personal bike repatriation
from 3 to 11 years old : - 50%
from 12 to 17 years old : - 20%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
'Bike extra' & various
If you bring your own bike.
- Baby seat :
- Trailer :
- Trail-a-bike :
+ 45 € / pers.
+ 100 € / pers.
+ 100 € / pers.
(in the case of a single person per booking)
According to the category(price per person)
(including 10 dinners Standard Cat. or 9 dinners Superior Cat. – excluding drinks)
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 65 € / pers.
+ 55 € / pers.*
+ 70 € / pers.
+ 55 € / pers.*
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 55 € / pers.
+ 35 € / pers.*
+ 70 € / pers.
+ 45 € / pers.*
from 0 to 2 years old : free / from 3 to 11 years old : - 50% / from 12 to 17 years old : - 20%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
Extras
(up to 5 persons)
from Tours to Nevers
(booking possible in case of private return transfer)
Your accommodation
Your cycle hire
VTC GITANE bike - 21 speed gears
Man or Lady frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 pump
- 1 lock
- 1 counter
- 1 high visibility jacket
- 1 bottle cage
- 1 bottle free of charge, 100% recyclable, BPA free, Made in France
- Helmet
VTC SCOTT bike
Universal frame
- 2 rear panniers
- 1 front pannier with map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 pump
- 1 lock
- 1 counter
- 1 high visibility jacket
- 1 bottle cage
- 1 bottle (100% recyclable, BPA free, made in France)
- Helmet
Equipment & Bike for children
We provide bikes and equipment for children such as :
- children’s bike
(from 16 to 24 inches – from 1,05m to 1,45m / from 3’5’’ to 4’9’’)
- trail-a-bike
(permanent coupling system for children from 5 to 8 years old – from 1,20m to 1,30m / from 4’ to 4’4’’)
- “follow-me” tandem
(for children from 5 to 8 years old – about 1,05m / 1,30m – from 3’5’’ to 4’4’’)
The “follow-me” is a clever coupling device that allows you to attach the child’s bike to your bike with ease. It can be removed easily to let the child ride alone.
- trailer
(for baby or 25 kg maximum children)
- baby seat
(for baby or 22 kg maximum children, fixed on the rear rack)
Practical details
- Bikes will be delivered at the 1st hotel.
- At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at your hotel, we will pick them up
> How to arrive in Nevers
> Return
Your journey
Tour description
Mix of cycling paths or signposted routes for cyclists (90%) and small traffic roads.
GPX files
Besides the maps and detailed itinerary, we also provide the GPX files of your bike stages, as well as a suggestion of free mobile application (if you do not have a bike touring GPS).
How to arrive in Nevers
By train
From Paris Gare de Bercy train station to Nevers train station (about 2h by train).
For more information, do not hesitate to visit : www.sncf.com/en
By plane
- From Roissy CDG airport:
– Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station >> St Pierre des Corps train station or Lyon Part Dieu train station (by TGV train) >> Nevers train station (by regular train).
– RER B >> Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 – stop ‘Bercy’ >> Paris Bercy train station >> Nevers train station.
www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport
www.transilien.com/en
www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes
- From Orly airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Bercy train station >> Nevers train station.
– Bus shuttle (Orly Bus) : from Orly Sud > > Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 – stop ‘Bercy’ >> Paris Bercy train station >> Nevers train station.
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlybus.php
– Orly Val (automatic metro) >> Paris – stop ‘Antony’ >> RER B – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 – stop ‘Bercy’ >> Paris Bercy train station >> Nevers train station.
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlyval.php
- From Beauvais airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Bercy train station >> Nevers train station.
– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> >> Metro line 1 – stop ‘Châtelet’ + line 14 – stop ‘Bercy’ >> Paris Bercy train station >> Nevers train station.
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes/
Return
If you have to come back to the start point:
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France (please contact us).
- A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en
Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
(Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility).
– Tours train Station >> Nevers train Station (about 2h30 by train)
– Tours >> Nevers (by taxi).
If you have to return to Paris (city centre) / Paris Airports :
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France.
- A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en
Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
(Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility).
– Tours train Station >> Paris Austerlitz Station (by train).
– Tours train Station >> Paris Montparnasse Station (by TGV train)
– Tours train Station >> Saint Pierre des Corps train Station (by train) >> Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station (by TGV train).
> Nearby Airport :
– Tours Airport : www.tours.aeroport.fr/home
Trip overall rating : / 3 testimonials
France
travel date: 23 August 2019.
Mon épouse et moi, nouveaux sexagénaires et qui ne faisons jamais de vélo le reste de l’année, nous avons eu beaucoup de plaisir à relier Tours depuis Nevers (… sans assistance électrique !) et quelques courbatures aussi ! Les hébergements (niveau supérieur) étaient top et les restos – le soir – excellents. Pierrette et Claude
italie
travel date: 17 August 2019.
Très bonne organisation, nos demandes particulières ont été traitées très rapidement. L’équipe Rando Vélo de Blois et très professionnelle et sympathique.
Germany
travel date: 21 June 2018.
Thanks so much for a perfectly planned trip. The service was flawless and met all my expectations. It was a great six day trip from Nevers to Angers. All worked out well: the bicycle rent, the itinerary, the hotels.
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
