La Loire à vélo trail

Let yourself be carried away by the magic of the Loire à Vélo, the French cycling route par excellence! For 800 kilometres, Europe’s last wild river will guide you through the “Garden of France”, an exceptional area listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Nevers to the spray of the Atlantic, carefully laid-out cycle paths invite you to discover this land of splendour.

Like jewels on a royal necklace, the most beautiful Renaissance châteaux line your route. The unique architecture of Chambord will transport you back in time, while Chenonceau gracefully basks in the waters of the Cher. The gardens of Villandry celebrate French art, and Amboise perpetuates the memory of Leonardo’s genius. Between these exceptional monuments, white tufa stone villages and medieval cities such as Blois and Tours tell of their centuries-old history.

The Loire reveals its gourmet treasures along the way. From the hillsides of Sancerre to the cellars of Vouvray, via Chinon and Saumur, the prestigious vineyards invite you to sample their wines. Local markets abound with regional specialities, while the landscape alternates between wild riverbanks, unspoilt islands and mysterious troglodytic galleries.

The journey takes on a new face as you head west. Angers will dazzle you with its tapestry of the Apocalypse, before the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud reveals the purity of its Romanesque architecture. Nantes, a creative city, surprises with its Machines de l’île, before Saint-Brévin-les-Pins celebrates the Loire’s reunion with the ocean.

Essential questions to help you prepare your escape :

  • When should you plan your adventure?
Favour April to October, with an emphasis on May-June and September for ideal weather and moderate visitor numbers.

  • Which frame to choose?
A touring bike or VTC is perfectly suited to the Greenways. Electric assistance offers extra comfort for longer stages.

  • What daily rhythm should be envisaged?
30 to 50 km a day, with a harmonious mix of pedalling, visits to châteaux and gastronomic breaks.

  • Is this the adventure for you?
The route, which is mostly flat and safe, caters for all types of cyclists, from families to active senior citizens.

  • Where to put your bags?
A string of characterful accommodations dot the route, from bed and breakfasts to refined hotels.

  • How do you organise cultural visits?
Access to the major sites is at your own pace.

Why entrust your Loire Valley trip to Randovelo?

Our in-depth expertise of this royal itinerary guarantees an exceptional experience. Every aspect is carefully orchestrated: carefully selected accommodation, luggage transport, tour bookings and round-the-clock assistance. An invitation to experience the majestic Loire Valley at your own pace, between French history and the art of living.

Reduce
11 cycling tour(s)
Order by
Cher river banks - château de Chenonceau

Rendez-vous in Amboise, a pretty royal city, for a cycling tour through the most emblematic châteaux of the Loire Valley. Discover the Château de Chenonceau, the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire and its astonishing International Garden Festival, not forgetting the Manoir du Clos Lucé where the genius of Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life!

In 3 days, ride along the Loire river, through the vineyards of the Touraine Amboise appellation, between forests and sunflower fields… and why not dare to take a little canoe trip on the Cher river to pass under the majestic arches of the Château de Chenonceau.

w
4 days / 3 days riding  / ref. L6
Difficulty Easy
from 480 €
Round trip / 11 testimonials
Guérande salt marshlands

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.

w
8 days / 6 days riding  / ref. L9
Difficulty Easy
from 1050 €
Linear trip
a break along the Loire river

Discover this “Loire à Vélo” part full of chateaux and wonderful landscapes. Very easy ride along the last wild European large river and its numerous smaller rivers where beautiful chateaux and prestigious gardens are waiting for you.
Children appreciate especially the old fortified castles whereas the parents enjoy making a short stop in a wine cellar.

w
8 days / 6 days riding  / ref. L21
Difficulty Very Easy
from 980 €
Linear trip
chateau de Chambord

Discover the northern part of the royal valley by riding along the majestic river from Orléans to Tours where thousand treasures are waiting for you :historical heritage with numerous chateaux, wonderful landscapes of different natural areas, regional gastronomy delights.

w
5 days / 4 days riding  / ref. L14
Difficulty Easy
from 640 €
Linear trip / 12 testimonials
Amboise

Let’s go for a 3 days ride in the « Chateaux Country » area where the cycling paths will lead you from prestigious chateaux to impressive forests, passing via the Loire river banks and beautiful vineyards.
Your cycling stages will bring you from Blois to Chambord, Chenonceaux and Amboise … all the greatest chateaux of the Loire Valley!

w
3 days / 3 days riding  / ref. L26
Difficulty Easy
from 320 €
Linear trip / 9 testimonials
Villandry gardens

Let’s ride the « Loire à Vélo »cycling paths for the week-end. From Tours to Saumur you will discover the delightful châteaux and Renaissance gardens on the Loire Valley: Azay le Rideau et Villandry. Between Loire and Vienne rivers where traditional boats are sailing, you will cycle through Chinon and Saumur vineyards and cross medieval-looking villages.

w
3 days / 3 days riding  / ref. L24
Difficulty Easy
from 390 €
Linear trip / 9 testimonials
Briare

Discover the newest part of the « Loire a à Vélo » cycling paths and enjoy the wildest part of the Loire river. From Nevers to Orléans, follow the Santiago de Compostela paths, ride through the Sancerre vineyards, up to the canal-bridge in Briare … before the reaching Orléans, Joan of Arc’s town.

w
7 days / 5 days riding  / ref. L7
Difficulty Easy
from 950 €
Linear trip / 8 testimonials
Cheverny

Follow the nice ‘Loire à Vélo’ cycling paths along the Loire River and take the time to discover the Greatest châteaux of the Loire Valley, such as Chambord, Chenonceaux and Amboise.
During this tour, enjoy the beautiful towns where you will be staying … for a shopping escapade in the heart of the historical downtowns … or to rest for a while at your hotel.

w
6 days / 6 days riding  / ref. L5
Difficulty Easy
from 620 €
Linear trip / 12 testimonials
Loire river banks

This wonderful bike tour will allow you to discover the most beautiful castles of the Loire Valley: Chambord, Chenonceaux, Blois or Amboise. Ride through its well known vineyards (such as Chinon, Vouvray, Montlouis and Saumur Champigny) and enchanting settings which will remind you that you really are in the “Garden of France.
Listed in the UNESCO world heritage, the Loire Valley is considered as the perfect destination to enjoy a mix between cycling and exploring nature, history and French gastronomy.

w
5 days / 5 days riding  / ref. L30
Difficulty Moderate
from 610 €
Linear trip / 12 testimonials
Chambord

Along the “Loire à Vélo” and “Pays des Châteaux” cycle paths, this tour takes you to some of the Loire’s most prestigious châteaux! Chambord, Chenonceaux, Cheverny, Amboise and Blois will hold no secrets for you.

Thanks to our itinerary, you’ll discover these incomparable historic residences and also cross irresistibly charming landscapes: between the wild Loire river, its surrounding forests, its vineyards and its picturesque little villages… experience a real moment of escape.

w
5 days / 4 days riding  / ref. L3
Difficulty Moderate
from 540 €
Round trip / 12 testimonials
Chinon - Vienne river

The Loire à Vélo cycling itinerary gives the opportunity to discover somes hidden places: from the Renaissance gardens of Villandry, ride to one of the most beautiful villages of France, Crissay sur Manse! From the iconic château d’Azay le Rideau, let be seduced by the magic of the both châteaux d’Ussé and château du Rivau, straight out of a fairy tale.
And if the cycling paths wander between wild Loire river banks and toglodyte houses, the Chinon and Saumur vineyards guide you to unexpected mediaeval cities, to the impressive underground tunnels of château de Brézé!

w
7 days / 6 days riding  / ref. L4
Difficulty Moderate
from 700 €
Linear trip / 12 testimonials
View more trips