Les Ponts-de-Cé

The guide to the must-see stages of the Loire à Vélo cycle route

Written by Charlotte
Feb. 5, 2026
The guide to the must-see stages of the Loire à Vélo cycle route

Cycle along the wild banks of France's longest river and let yourself be carried away by the serenity of the Loire Valley. Whether you're a fan of multi-day touring or simply looking for a family outing in the great outdoors, the Loire à Vélo offers a unique experience in the heart of UNESCO-listed landscapes.

The Loire by bike, yes, but for whom?

The Véloroute de la Loire à vélo means 900 km of cycle routess along Europe's last wild river, from Nevers to the Loire Atlantique.

Fully signposted in both directions, it allows you to select sections to cycle each day during a touring holiday, or simply to choose a pleasant ride to suit your level of ability: whether you're a Sunday cyclist or a seasoned tourer, a family with children, a group or a solo rider, the banks of the Loire offer a varied landscape and flat terrain to suit all ages and levels. If you like, you can cycle through the Tourraine and Maine-et-Loire regions of the Centre Val de Loire.

 

The cycle route uses roads with very few traffic and, for the most part, greenways that are closed to motor vehicles.
The simple route is a major advantage of this cycle route: there's no risk of getting lost, as you never lose sight of the river for a moment!

Why cycle the Loire?

The Loire à vélo Loire à vélo lets you discover the architectural treasures of the Loire Valley while enjoying a revitalizing outdoor activity.

Numerous specially adapted rest areas invite you to take pleasant breaks along the way: children's play areas, toilets, picnic tables, shaded areas for relaxation - everything is designed with your family in mind.

There are also swimming areas along the way, ideal for a refreshing day out in the fresh air!

Cyclists can opt to rent bicycles for rides on the various cycle routes along the cycle paths, such as along the canal on the banks of the Loire in Pays de la Loire.

 

The Loire à vélo invites you to let yourself wander along the river: you'll pass through villages with welcoming terraces, come across a warm ginguette, spot a flea market on the quays, and stop to visit a temporary exhibition here, a religious building there, a troglodyte village elsewhere. The rhythm of cycling is full of surprises and encounters that will make your journey unforgettable. Discover also the Châteaux of the Loire by bike.

 

How do you prepare for your riverside adventure?

 

  • Choose an itinerary whose distance is adapted to your family, according to your habits, your level of fitness and the age of your children. 20 to 30 kilometers is enough if you want to be able to make stops and enjoy visits or other activities along the way.
  • When selecting your itinerary, give preference to greenways, which are absolutely safe and more pleasant.
  • Check the condition of your bikes before setting off, adjust tire pressure and take a repair kit with you.
  • If you're renting your own bikes, it's better to use a bicycle follower or trailer rather than a baby seat for small children.
  • Inter Loire trains have specially adapted carriages. They allow you to move from one "voie verte" to another, discovering different sections of the Loire in the same day.
  • Think about taking the train there and the bike back, or the bike there and the train back, to give the kids a break and see as much of the countryside as possible.

The Loire by bike: itinerary ideas

 

  • Saumur-Les Rosiers sur Loire: a 16 km greenway on the right bank of the river, starting from Saumur station. The round trip can easily be done as a family over a day or half-day. With no stops, the round trip takes 3 hours.
  • Saumur-Angers: an itinerary of almost 100 km that can be completed over several days, or for which you can select individual sections: starting from Saumur, on the peaceful banks of the Loire, this itinerary can include stops at Brézé (château), Montreuil-Bellay (château), Gennes, Saint-Rémy-la-Varennes, Saint-Mathurin-sur-Loire, Brissac (château) and Bouchemaine.
  • Angers-Nantes: also a hundred-kilometer stretch, almost all the way to the river estuary, with stops at Savennières, La Possonnière, Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Montjean-sur-Loire, Ingrandes-sur-Loire, Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Liré, Ancenis, Oudon, Champtoceaux and the Divatte levee.
  • Tours-SaumurTours-Saumur: a 3-day tour of the château of Azay-le-Rideau, the listed village of Candes-Saint-Martin and its abbey church, and the troglodyte villages of the Saumur hillside.
  • Chambord-Amboise: a two-day opportunity to discover these two legendary châteaux, including the equally remarkable Chaumont-sur-Loire.
  • Montsoreau-La Varenne: with 4 stages to be completed over 4 days, or to choose from for a family day out: from Montsoreau to Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne (46 km); from Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne to Bouchemaine (28 km); from Bouchemaine to Saint-Florent-le-Vieil (45 km); and finally from Saint-Florent-le-Vieil to La Varenne (31 km).
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