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View over the Loire to Touraine

Loire Cycle Path, Tours – Saint Nazaire

Wild-romantic all the way to the sea

8 Days / 7 Nights
Medium
View over the Loire to Touraine

Has France been on your travel list for a long time? Or have you long since fallen in love? Either way, a cycle tour along the Loire is romantic in many ways. The unbridled river, the charming towns, the historic castles and the wild Atlantic. Over eight days, you cycle from the university town of Tours to the delightful Saint Nazaire, where the sea lies at your feet. Need we say more?

The 1st stage leads directly past two castles before you head to Chinon as your destination for the day. While the town is familiar to many from the film "Monsieur Claude and his Daughters", the old town is simply a wonderful place to stroll and explore. Via Saumur, the route continues to the university town of Angers.

Incidentally, first-class vines thrive along the Loire (and have done so since the Middle Ages!), from which internationally renowned wines are pressed. The penultimate stage destination is the sixth largest city in France: Nantes. Here, history and modernity come together to form a harmonious symbiosis. Across a 720-metre bridge, you will finally reach Saint Nazaire, which is of great economic importance due to its harbour and shipyards.

  • The impressive cultural monuments of the Loire castles: A few kilometres after Tours, Villandry Castle awaits you, which is particularly famous for its six ornate gardens and the oriental salon. The castles of Saumur and Lengeais also exude French charm.
  • Idyllic natural experience: The untamed nature of the Loire makes it a spectacle. The charming Loire Valley and the numerous tributaries, plus the varied landscape between wine-growing areas and the Atlantic coast - you will hardly be able to get enough of the beauty of this corner of the world.
  • Vibrant French cities: Have a café au lait in a bistro and linger, then stroll through the old alleyways and absorb the culture and architecture. Immerse yourself in the "savoir vivre", the famous French way of life.
  • A bold plunge into the waves of the Atlantic: The ocean is considered wild and refreshing here, yet it shows itself to be so inviting that you simply have to dare to take a dip. The coastline is not to be neglected either, with wooded dunes, rocky coves and small beaches making bathing a picturesque experience. Tip: The bay of La Baule is worth a trip!

The well-designed and easy-to-follow cycle stages are between 40 and 65 kilometres long. The route has only a few, small climbs - in return, you will enjoy the views. There may sometimes be a headwind on the Atlantic side.

Itinerary at a glance

Sample hotel: Ibis Styles Centre

The river Cher, a Loire tributary, leads you directly to Villandry palace with its terraced gardens. Certainly, you should not miss paying a visit to this famous installation. Every visitor will be amazed by the shadowy footpaths, the flower-bedecked bowers, the fountains and the artistically laid out vegetable gardens. Some kilometres further on you will exchange the bank of the Cher for the bank of the famous Loire. And again you will be tempted by the next castle – Langeais. From the top of the fortified tower (this castle exclusively served for military purposes) you will see the river and its whole surroundings lying in front of you. Via small villages and on side roads you will reach today’s Day Finish – Chinon, impressing visitors with its mighty castle complex.

Sample hotel: Ibis Styles

 

You leave Chinon with its medieval alleyways and follow the river Vienne to Candes-St. Martin. A charming stroll through the village up to the highest point of the hill enables an impressive view onto the confluence of both rivers Vienne and Loire. Shortly before arriving in Saumur there is a special highlight. The bike path leads right through the mystic rockhouses of Souzey. We highly recommend another panoramic view onto the vast Loire-valley later from Saumur palace.

Sample hotel: Hotel Kyriad Saumur Centre

 

 

After some kilometres you enter the vineyards situated at the southern shores of the Loire.  On gentle hills you cycle right through the wineyards. Back again at the coast you cycle through quiet, medieval villages towards your next big Day Finish Angers. Be inspired by the lively university town situated at the Maine. In case this tour is too strenuous for you, you can bypass the route by train from Saumur onwards.

Sample hotel: Le Progres

 

 

Angers is situtated on the river Maine, the final significant tributary of the Loire before the Atlantic. You follow this river until is joins the river Loire at La Pointe-Bouchemaine. You continue along the foot of a slate-granite massif until Savennières featuring the oldest church of the region. Some of the best wines of the Loire-valley are grown here, fruity, dry white wines – we recommend a visit to one of the vintners. From La Poissonnière the route leads you via dykes with wonderful views onto the river Loire into the trim little town  Saint-Florent-le-Vieil.

Sample hotel: Logis Hostellerie la Gabelle

 

 

Another day along the Loire river through continuously changing scenery awaits. The Loire now finally enters Brittany and carves through slate- and granit rocks all the way to Nantes. The cycle path changes the side of the river several times, which also includes tackling a few smaller ascents – which again rewards you with beautiful views. The Loire ‚escorts‘ you into the centre of the historic capital of Brittany, Nantes. Although the Loire estuary into the Atlantic is another 70 km away the influence of the sea is already noticable and visible. 

Sample hotel: Mercure Grand Hotel

 

 

Now the river becomes ever wider, the scenery increasingly placid. You proceed through little villages always  to the Loire ending in the Atlantic Ocean. Only the impressive bridge over the Loire River seperates you from Saint Nazaire. Visit the Atlantic shipyard, which is one of the largest ship building corporations in the world, or the submarine bunker, which is also accessible by bike.

Sample hotel: Comfort Hotel de l'Europe

 

 

Day
08
Departure or extension

Itinerary at a glance

The charm of the cities of Nantes, Chinon and Angers, the idyllic nature at the unrestrained Loire and the many castles characterize this tour. The maritime Saint-Nazaire and the Atlantic bay of La Baule are the worthy destination.

Hotel (example): Hampton by Hilton

The river Cher, a Loire tributary, leads you directly to Villandry palace with its terraced gardens. Certainly, you should not miss paying a visit to this famous installation. Every visitor will be amazed by the shadowy footpaths, the flower-bedecked bowers, the fountains and the artistically laid out vegetable gardens. Some kilometres further on you will exchange the bank of the Cher for the bank of the famous Loire. And again you will be tempted by the next castle – Langeais. From the top of the fortified tower (this castle exclusively served for military purposes) you will see the river and its whole surroundings lying in front of you. Via small villages and on side roads you will reach today’s Day Finish – Chinon, impressing visitors with its mighty castle complex.

Hotel (example): Ibis Styles

You leave Chinon with its medieval alleyways and follow the river Vienne to Candes-St. Martin. A charming stroll through the village up to the highest point of the hill enables an impressive view onto the confluence of both rivers Vienne and Loire. Shortly before arriving in Saumur there is a special highlight. The bike path leads right through the mystic rockhouses of Souzey. We highly recommend another panoramic view onto the vast Loire-valley later from Saumur palace.

Hotel (example): Hotel Kyriad Saumur Centre

After some kilometres you enter the vineyards situated at the southern shores of the Loire.  On gentle hills you cycle right through the wineyards. Back again at the coast you cycle through quiet, medieval villages towards your next big Day Finish Angers. Be inspired by the lively university town situated at the Maine. In case this tour is too strenuous for you, you can bypass the route by train from Saumur onwards.

Hotel (example): Le Progres

Angers is situtated on the river Maine, the final significant tributary of the Loire before the Atlantic. You follow this river until is joins the river Loire at La Pointe-Bouchemaine. You continue along the foot of a slate-granite massif until Savennières featuring the oldest church of the region. Some of the best wines of the Loire-valley are grown here, fruity, dry white wines – we recommend a visit to one of the vintners. From La Poissonnière the route leads you via dykes with wonderful views onto the river Loire into the trim little town  Saint-Florent-le-Vieil.

Hotel (example): Logis Hostellerie la Gabelle

Another day along the Loire river through continuously changing scenery awaits. The Loire now finally enters Brittany and carves through slate- and granit rocks all the way to Nantes. The cycle path changes the side of the river several times, which also includes tackling a few smaller ascents – which again rewards you with beautiful views. The Loire ‚escorts‘ you into the centre of the historic capital of Brittany, Nantes. Although the Loire estuary into the Atlantic is another 70 km away the influence of the sea is already noticable and visible. 

Hotel (example): Mercure Grand Hotel

Now the river becomes ever wider, the scenery increasingly placid. You proceed through little villages always  to the Loire ending in the Atlantic Ocean. Only the impressive bridge over the Loire River seperates you from Saint Nazaire. Visit the Atlantic shipyard, which is one of the largest ship building corporations in the world, or the submarine bunker, which is also accessible by bike.

Hotel (example): Comfort Hotel de l'Europe

Day
08
Departure or extension

Route information

Medium

You cycle on asphalted and gravelled cycle paths, partially also along side roads. There are only a few ascents worth mentioning to be tackled along the very well signposted route, occasionally you may encounter some headwind.

Prices & Dates

Category: 3***-Hotels (French classification)

Prices per person in EUR

Our rental bikes

Men's bike 21-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

High-quality men's touring bike with classic diamond frame

Body size approx. 165 cm - 205 cm

56-51 "sloping" cm |
60 cm |
64 cm
Unisex bike 21/24-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry

Body size approx. 148 cm - 190 cm

43 cm |
46 cm |
51 cm |
56 cm
Unisex Electro bike 8-speed
Hub gears with freewheel

High-quality unisex electric bike with comfortable low entry

Body size approx. 148 cm - 195 cm

46 cm "xs" |
46 cm |
51 cm |
56 cm
Rental Bike PLUS 20/27-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

Sportier, lighter and more precise premium rental bike with diamond frame

Body size approx. 155 cm - 205 cm

46 cm |
51 cm |
60 cm |
63 cm

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation as mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • EUROBIKE developed route
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (GE, EN)
  • Navigation-App and GPS-data available
  • Service hotline

Optional

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance!
  • Return transfer by minibus to Tours or Orleans every Saturday morning, costs EUR 95 per person to Tours, EUR 119 to Orleans, for every own bike additional EUR 29,-, reservation is necessary, to be paid in advance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Orléans, Tours or St. Nazaire train station
  • Airport Paris
  • Garage approx. EUR 7,- per day in Orléans
  • Hotel underground car park approx. EUR 50,- per week in Tours. No reservation possible/necessary.
  • On weekends direct train connections, bikes can be taken free of charge, from St. Nazaire via Tours to Orléans

Thinigs to note

  • For this trip, high quality rental bikes are provided by our local partner
  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

 

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation as mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • EUROBIKE developed route
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance!
  • Return transfer by minibus to Tours or Orleans every Saturday morning, costs EUR 99 per person to Tours, EUR 125 to Orleans, for every own bike additional EUR 39,-, reservation is necessary, to be paid in advance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Orléans, Tours or St. Nazaire train station
  • Airport Paris
  • Garage approx. EUR 10,- per day in Orléans
  • On weekends direct train connections, bikes can be taken free of charge, from St. Nazaire via Tours to Orléans

Thinigs to note

  • Please note that for this trip high quality, but slightly different from the description, rental bikes are provided by our local partner.
  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

 

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

From our Cycling Blog

Julia Bann

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Julia Bann
Team leader Eurobike
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