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Loire à vélo: cycle tour from Saumur to the Atlantic sea

8 days / 6 days riding  / ref. L9 / Difficulty Easy / Linear trip
from 950 €
per person

Your cycling tour in the Loire Valley:

Discover the charm of the Western Loire region : from Saumur to Le Croisic and appreciate the ‘Angevine Sweetness’ (‘Douceur Angevine’) all along the last itineraries of the “Loire à Vélo” routes.

Ride through the Anjou area and its vineyards, and “take the plunge” into the Atlantic Ocean in Saint-Brévin. Then, direction Le Croisic, passing through Guérande and its salt marshes to the wild coast which offers splendid landscapes on the ocean.

View trip map

Tour highlights

  • The Loire wildest landscapes
  • Discovery of the nice and peacefull city of Nantes
  • After the “sweet Loire Valley”, the nice beaches of Le Croisic !
  • Go back up the Loire to the Ocean

Day 1Arrival in Saumur


Walk around Saumur’s streets, to the place Saint Pierre where you should stop to drink a glass of sparkling wine and then climb to the castle from where you will have a stunning view on the city of Saumur and the Loire river.

Day 2Saumur – Angers | 57 km


A 1st bike stage as close as possible to the Loire river to reach the famous town of Angers which will surprise you with its magnificent castle built on Gallo-Roman urban buildings. Appreciate the peaceful city and its chateau which shelters the famous Apocalypse Tapestry.

Optional
Visit of the Pierre et Lumière troglodyte site (Included in the "Visit Package")

pierre et lumière

A few metres underground, discover an unusual miniature park! In a former troglodytic quarry, a sculptor has reproduced the most beautiful churches, towns, villages and châteaux of the Loire Valley … carved out of the soft tufa stone. About twenty places have been sculpted down to the finest detail, sometimes directly into the wall.

Day 3Angers – St Florent le Vieil or Ancenis | 50 km or 65 km


Cycle in the heart of the Anjou vineyards such as the Coteaux de la Loire and the Coteaux de l’Aubance. Do not miss to make a stop at Savennières, famous for its dry white wine, before riding on the Chalonne island in the middle of the Loire river, up to the village of Saint Florent le Vieil or Ancenis.        

Optional
Visit of the Château d'Angers (Included in the "Visit Package")

Anjou Tourisme

Proudly installed since the 13th century on a rocky promontory overlooking the Maine River, the Château d’Angers (and its 17 two-coloured towers!) is home to a treasure: the Tapestry of the Apocalypse commissioned by Louis I of Anjou around 1375. At 103 metres long and 4.5 metres high, with 71 scenes, it is the largest collection of medieval tapestries in the world!

Day 4St Florent le Vieil or Ancenis – Nantes | 55 km or 40 km


Continue along the Loire river banks where you can enjoy the different natural landscapes and observe the wild animals and birds. Enjoy a peaceful ride until Champtoceaux, in its magnificent setting marking the boundary between Anjou and Brittany. Proceed to Nantes: a very dynamic city offering a large choice of visits and where you can enjoy a sight-seeing through the numerous pedestrian streets.

Optional
Visit of the Château des ducs de Bretagne - Nantes History Museum (Included in the "Visit Package")

Daniel Jolivet

On the town side, it is a fortress with a 500-metre walkway punctuated by 7 towers. On the courtyard side, it houses an elegant 15th century ducal residence. The Grand Logis houses the Nantes History Museum: a tour of 7 steps telling the history of the city: the castle and ducal Brittany, port activity and industrial history, social movements, today’s metropolis, etc.

Day 5Nantes – St Brévin | 58 km


Leave the city via a small boat to cross the river and continue on the cycling path of ‘Loire à vélo’. Further on, you will follow a narrow canal for a peaceful moment along marshlands and countryside to finish at the estuary of the Loire river in St Brevin les Pins: a seaside resort which offer a large sandy beach surrounded by sand dunes and Pine trees forest. This is an ideal place to relax after long day biking.

Day 6St Brévin – Le Croisic | 53 km or 60 km


From the estuary of the River Loire to the wild sea coast of Le Croisic. Take benefit to discover the famous salt marshes of the medieval town of Guérande. In the heart of a classified natural park, this medieval city offers you many testimonies of its historical past. Then continue along the wild coast before reaching Le Croisic, a fish harbour and a very beautiful village on the coast.

Optional
Visit of the Guérande salt marshes (Included in the "Visit Package")

Terre de Sel

From the sea to the grain of salt, discover a traditional craft unique in the world and observe the fauna and flora on an exceptional site. This tour takes you round the salt marshes, where you’ll see how the water circuit operates and learn how the famous Guérande salt is formed.

Day 7Day at leisure or excursion to Le Pouliguen and La Baule | 55 km


Take advantage of the day to discover the pretty village of Le Croisic and its coves, beaches and rocky waterfalls scattered along the coastal path.
You can also take an excursion to Le Pouliguen, a pretty seaside resort where you can enjoy a stroll, and then to one of the largest bays in Europe, between La Baule and Pornichet. You can also cycle past pretty villas nestling in the pine trees.

Day 8Departure during the day


The little extra with Biking France (optional):


  • Private return transfer from Le Croisic to Saumur – (on request).
  • Our « Visit Package », with entrance fees to

. Pierre et Lumière troglodyte park
. château d’Angers
. Château de Nantes
. Visit of the Guérande salt marshes


Select your category

category Standard
category superior

Your accommodation

These hotels offer all the comfort and well-earned rest after a cycling day (private bathroom). A perfect place to enjoy all the centres of interest around.
These hotels provide charming services on high quality as well as a great location.
Pictures for indicative purposes. Depending on the availability.
Including :

• 7 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
• Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
• Equipped cycle rental for 6 days
• 1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
• A personalised navigation app showing points of interest along the route
• City taxes
• Hotline 7 days a week

Not including :

• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
• Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
• Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
• Single room supplement (7 nights included)
• Transfer from Le Croisic to Saumur and personal bike repatriation

Including :

• 7 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
• Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
• Equipped cycle rental for 6 days
• 1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
• A personalised navigation app showing points of interest along the route
• City taxes
• Hotline 7 days a week

Not including :

• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
• Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
• Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
• Single room supplement (7 nights included)
• Transfer from Le Croisic to Saumur and personal bike repatriation

Children discount :from 0 to 2 years old : - 90%
from 3 to 11 years old : - 20%
from 12 to 15 years old : - 10%

(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )

VTC GITANE bike - 21 speed gears

(bike included in this tour)

A bike that favors an upright, comfortable position, ideal for leisure riding.

OPEN frame, until 1m83
CLOSED frame, from 1m83

  • 1 rear pannier
  • 1 front pannier with a map holder
  • 1 repair kit
  • 1 smartphone holder
  • 1 lock
  • 1 bottle cage

Helmet not provided.

SCOTT Sub Sport 20 - 27 speed gears

A “sport” bike that favors a more athletic position and riding style.

OPEN frame, until 1m83
CLOSED frame, from 1m83

  • 1 rear pannier
  • 1 front pannier with a map holder
  • 1 repair kit
  • 1 smartphone holder
  • 1 lock
  • 1 bottle cage

Helmet not provided.

MOUSTACHE e-bike

OPEN frame

  • 1 rear pannier
  • 1 front pannier with a map holder
  • 1 repair kit
  • 1 smartphone holder
  • 1 lock

Helmet not provided.

(These models of e-bikes may be replaced by another one, similar)

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’’)

velo enfant

  • “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)
Your journeyHow to arrive in SaumurReturn

How to arrive in Saumur

By train
From Paris Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (about 2h30 by TGV train + train).
For more information, do not hesitate to visit : www.sncf.com/en

By plane

  • From Orly airport:
    – Taxi transfer to Paris Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).

– Bus shuttle (Le Bus Direct) : from Orly Sud or Ouest >> Line 1 >> Paris Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
www.lebusdirect.com/en/lines-and-schedules/orly-airport-paris-etoile-champs-elysees-line.html

– Bus shuttle (Orly Bus) : from Orly Sud or Ouest > > Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 4 >> Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlybus.php

– Orly Val (automatic metro): from Orly Sud or Ouest >> Paris – stop ‘Antony’ >> RER B – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 4 >> Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlyval.php
www.transilien.com/en
www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes

  • From Beauvais airport:
    – Taxi transfer to Paris Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).

– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> Metro line 1 + line 13 >> Paris Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
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
    Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
    (Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility).
    – Saumur train Station >> Nantes train Station >> Saumur train Station (about 3h by train).

If you have to return to Paris (city centre) / Paris Airports:

  • 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
    Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
    (Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility).
    – Le Croisic train Station >> Paris Montparnasse train Station (by TGV train).
    – Le Croisic train Station >> Nantes train Station (by train) >> Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station (by TGV train).

Nearby airport:
 – Nantes Airport : www.nantes.aeroport.fr