'Loire à Vélo' trail

Experience an ever-expanding range of opportunities and facilities for cycling over 400 km of signposted tracks - made up of quiet roads and exclusive cycle tracks - in the sumptuous settings of the Loire Valley. Enjoy biking through a UNESCO World Heritage site and along the banks of Europe’s last wild river, the Loire. In the long term, the innovative concept ‘Loire à Vélo’ trail will comprise almost 800 km, from the Sancerre vineyards to St-Brévin-les-Pins in the Loire-Atlantique region.

Get ready to have fun and very pleasant moments with your family or friends ! Fix your bike onto the back of your car or hire one’s from bicycle-hire professionals, offering you the possibility of taking and leaving a bike at any rental point. Then, let’s go and feel free to choose your own itinerary, at your own pace, through the Cher, Loiret, Loir-et-Cher, and Touraine areas

Enjoy the relaxing and leisurely trip viewing spectacular scenery, historic towns and villages, châteaux overlooking the river, stunning gardens and vineyards and all the cultural and gourmet delights on offer along the way. Gulls, sterns, beavers and salmon will accompany you as well !

What to discover ?

-         New this year : 60 km from Briare and its canal bridge (663m-long metal structure) to Sancerre. The ideal place to taste an astonishing variety of wines.

-         After visiting Villandry with its Château and lush gardens, try to reach Azay-le-Rideau - a luxuriant setting on the banks of the Indre with its Renaissance château - and Chinon, a medieval town with gigantic ruined fortress and a medieval market.

-         The legend of the oldest bridge across the Loire, built in one night by the devil, at Beaugency.

-         The old Blois medieval streets and the majestic Château of François I with its splendid main staircase.

-         The lively city of Tours with its famous cathedral and must-see Plumereau quarter of town.

-          The Touraine of the birds (shags, terns or herons) nest in the Loire-Anjou-Touraine country park.

-          Candes-Saint-Martin, one of the most beautiful villages in France.

-         The Renaissance monument Chambord with its 440 rooms.

You can also discover 300 km of biking with special itineraries ‘In Châteaux Country by bike’. A great occasion to ride your bicycle between the River Loire and the Sologne area, through paths and small roads, signposted and safe. Designed in conjunction with ‘Loire à Vélo’ trail, you will discover prestigious sites such as Chambord or Cheverny. picturesque villages, vast vineyards, the mysteries of local lore or history and many other little know treasures are now accessible in quieter ways. www.chateauxavelo.com

For all information you may wish to have, simply click on our website www.visaloire.com

Photo credits: Eric Mangeat CRT / MDLF